sense
UK[sens]US[sens]
n
One of the five natural powers (sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch) that give animals and people information about the world
n
A general feeling or awareness
n
A natural ability to understand, judge, or deal with situations
n
A normal state of mind; the ability to think clearly
n
The meaning of a word or phrase
v
To detect or become aware of something
Etymology
The word 'sense' entered English in the late 14th century from Old French 'sens', which itself derived from Latin 'sensus', meaning "feeling, perception, meaning." This Latin noun originates from the past participle of the verb 'sentire', "to feel, perceive, think." The ultimate Proto-Indo-European root is believed to be sent-, meaning "to go" or "to head for," which metaphorically extended to the idea of finding one's way or perceiving a direction. This etymological journey illustrates how a concrete concept of physical movement evolved into the abstract faculties of perception, understanding, and meaning.
Analysis
The word 'sense' is a simplex word borrowed as a whole from Latin. It cannot be meaningfully segmented into smaller, independent morphemes using its current English spelling.
Examples
Dogs have a keen sense of smell.
She had the sense to call for help immediately.
I could sense the tension in the room as soon as I entered.