perceptually
UK[pəˈsɛptʃuəli]US[pərˈsɛptʃuəli]
adv
In a way that relates to or involves the ability to become aware of something through the senses.
Morpheme Breakdown
percept
ual
ly
percept
to perceive
ual
adjective suffix
ly
adverb suffix
Etymology
The word 'perceptually' is built upon the Latin verb percipere, which itself is a compound of per- ('thoroughly') and capere ('to take, seize'). This literal sense of 'taking in thoroughly' evolved into the abstract meaning of 'becoming aware of through the mind or senses'. The adjectival suffix -ual was attached to form 'perceptual', relating to perception. Finally, the Old English adverbial suffix -ly was added, creating a word that describes the manner in which something is experienced or processed by the senses. Thus, the term encapsulates the journey from the physical act of seizing to the cognitive process of awareness, modified to describe its qualitative mode.
Analysis
Structure: percept (to perceive) + ual (adjective suffix) + ly (adverb suffix)
- percept: From Latin perceptus, the past participle of percipere meaning 'to seize, understand'. It functions as the core root denoting the act of perceiving.
- ual: A suffix of Latin origin (-alis), used to form adjectives meaning 'of or relating to'.
- ly: A suffix of Old English origin (-lice), used to form adverbs from adjectives.
Examples
The two images are identical, but they are processed perceptually in different ways by the brain.
The illusion is designed to challenge how we interpret information perceptually.
The study compares how experts and novices perceive the artwork perceptually.