conscious

Where does the word "conscious" come from? It comes from Latin scire, passing through Latin before entering English (1600s).

Conscious’s story begins in Latin: scire meant “to know.” To know, combined with com- (together, with). Within Latin, it grew into conscius by ancient. Knowing with oneself, aware, from com- and scire. It reached English by 1600s as conscious. Settled as the English word for being aware of one's own existence and surroundings. Today, conscious means aware of one's own existence, thoughts, and surroundings.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient scire "to know", to know, combined with com- (together, with).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient conscius "knowing with oneself, aware", knowing with oneself, aware, from com- and scire.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s conscious "aware of one's own existence, sensations, and surroundings", settled as the English word for being aware of one's own existence and surroundings.