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sensation

 - 5 dictionary results

sen⋅sa⋅tion

  [sen-sey-shuhn]
Use sensation in a Sentence
–noun
1. the operation or function of the senses; perception or awareness of stimuli through the senses.
2. a mental condition or physical feeling resulting from stimulation of a sense organ or from internal bodily change, as cold or pain.
3. Physiology. the faculty of perception of stimuli.
4. a general feeling not directly attributable to any given stimulus, as discomfort, anxiety, or doubt.
5. a mental feeling, esp. a state of excited feeling.
6. a state of excited feeling or interest caused among a number of persons or throughout a community, as by some rumor or occurrence.
7. a cause of such feeling or interest: The new Brazilian movie was the sensation of the film festival.
Origin:
1605–15; < ML sēnsātiōn- (s. of sēnsātiō), equiv. to LL sēnsāt(us) sensate + -iōn- -ion

Related forms:
sen⋅sa⋅tion⋅less, adjective

Synonyms:
2, 4. See sense. 6. excitement, stimulation, animation; agitation, commotion, perturbation.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To sensation
sen·sa·tion   (sěn-sā'shən)   
n.  

    1. A perception associated with stimulation of a sense organ or with a specific body condition: the sensation of heat; a visual sensation.

    2. The faculty to feel or perceive; physical sensibility: The patient has very little sensation left in the right leg.

    3. An indefinite generalized body feeling: a sensation of lightness.

    4. A state of intense public interest and excitement: "The purser made a sensation as sailors like to do, by predicting a storm" (Evelyn Waugh).

    5. A cause of such interest and excitement. See Synonyms at wonder.

  2. A state of heightened interest or emotion: "The anticipation produced in me a sensation somewhat between bliss and fear" (James Weldon Johnson).

    1. A state of intense public interest and excitement: "The purser made a sensation as sailors like to do, by predicting a storm" (Evelyn Waugh).

    2. A cause of such interest and excitement. See Synonyms at wonder.


[French, from Old French, from Medieval Latin sēnsātiō, sēnsātiōn-, from Late Latin sēnsātus, gifted with sense; see sensate.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

sensation 
1615, "a reaction to external stimulation of the sense organs," from M.L. sensationem (nom. sensatio), from L.L. sensatus "endowed with sense, sensible," from L. sensus "feeling" (see sense). Meaning "state of shock, surprise, in a community" first recorded 1779.
"The great object of life is sensation -- to feel that we exist, even though in pain. It is this 'craving void' which drives us to gaming -- to battle, to travel -- to intemperate, but keenly felt, pursuits of any description, whose principal attraction is the agitation inseparable from their accomplishment." [Lord Byron]
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: sen·sa·tion
Pronunciation: sen-'sA-sh&n, s&n-
Function: noun
1 a : a mental process (as seeing, hearing, orsmelling) due to immediate bodily stimulation often as distinguished from awareness of the process —compare PERCEPTION b : awareness (as of heat or pain) due to stimulation of a sense organ c : a state of consciousness of a kind usually due to physical objects or internal bodily changessensation in his chest>
2 : something (as a physical object, sense-datum, pain, or afterimage) that causes or is the object of sensation
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

sensation sen·sa·tion (sěn-sā'shən)
n.

  1. A perception associated with stimulation of a sense organ or with a specific body condition.

  2. The faculty to feel or perceive; physical sensibility.

  3. An indefinite, generalized body feeling.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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