sensation
Meaning
a physical feeling or perception resulting from something that happens to or comes into contact with the body
a widespread reaction of interest and excitement
Structure
Usage
The sensation of cold water was a shock to his system.
The new artist became an overnight sensation.
She lost all sensation in her fingers after being out in the freezing cold.
Etymology
The word 'sensation' originates from the Medieval Latin term sensationem, which itself is derived from the past participle stem sens- of the Latin verb sentire, meaning "to feel, perceive by the senses." This Latin root traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root sent-, meaning "to go" or "to head for," which metaphorically evolved into the concept of mental direction or perception. The suffix -ation was added to form a noun denoting the process or result of feeling. Thus, the literal "process of feeling" evolved from a purely physical or sensory meaning to encompass the abstract modern sense of a widespread feeling of public excitement or interest.
Analysis
sens (from Latin sentire, meaning "to feel"); ation (a noun-forming suffix of Latin origin, indicating an action, process, or result)