Consciousness

Consciousness Con"scious*ness, n. 1. The state of being conscious; knowledge of one's own existence, condition, sensations, mental operations, acts, etc. [1913 Webster]

Consciousness is thus, on the one hand, the recognition by the mind or ``ego'' of its acts and affections; -- in other words, the self-affirmation that certain modifications are known by me, and that these modifications are mine. --Sir W. Hamilton. [1913 Webster]

2. Immediate knowledge or perception of the presence of any object, state, or sensation. See the Note under {Attention}. [1913 Webster]

Annihilate the consciousness of the object, you annihilate the consciousness of the operation. --Sir W. Hamilton. [1913 Webster]

And, when the steam Which overflowed the soul had passed away, A consciousness remained that it had left. . . . images and precious thoughts That shall not die, and can not be destroyed. --Wordsworth. [1913 Webster]

The consciousness of wrong brought with it the consciousness of weakness. --Froude. [1913 Webster]

3. Feeling, persuasion, or expectation; esp., inward sense of guilt or innocence. [R.] [1913 Webster]

An honest mind is not in the power of a dishonest: to break its peace there must be some guilt or consciousness. --Pope. [1913 Webster]