commonsense
Meaning
The ability to think and behave in a reasonable way and to make good, practical decisions.
Showing good, practical judgment; sensible.
Structure
Usage
It's just commonsense to look both ways before crossing the street.
She has a lot of book smarts but sometimes lacks basic commonsense.
The manager appreciated his commonsense approach to solving the logistical problem.
Etymology
The word 'commonsense' is a compound formed from two English words of Latin origin. 'Common' derives from the Latin communis, meaning "shared by all or many," which itself comes from the PIE root ko-moin-i-, "held in common." 'Sense' originates from Latin sensus, "perception, feeling, faculty of perception," from the verb sentire, "to feel," traceable to the PIE root sent-, "to head for, go." The compound 'common sense' first appeared in English in the 14th century, translating the Latin term sensus communis, which in Aristotelian philosophy referred to a supposed internal sense that coordinated the data from the five external senses. Over centuries, the meaning evolved from this technical philosophical concept to its modern, more democratic meaning: the basic level of practical knowledge and sound judgment that is expected to be shared by nearly everyone and is essential for ordinary social interaction and survival.
Analysis
- common: From Latin communis (shared, general, public). In this compound, it functions as an adjective modifying the noun 'sense', indicating a quality that is shared by or available to all people. - sense: From Latin sensus (feeling, perception, understanding). In this compound, it functions as a noun meaning the faculty of sound, practical judgment.