different between sentient vs insentient

English

Etymology

From Latin senti?ns (“feeling, perceiving”), present active participle of senti?.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?s?n.ti.?nt/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?s?n.?(i.)?nt/

Adjective

sentient (comparative more sentient, superlative most sentient)

1. Experiencing sensation, thought, or feeling.

   Synonym: sensate

2. Able to consciously perceive through the use of sense faculties.

   Antonym: insensate

3. (chiefly science fiction) Possessing human-like awareness and intelligence.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:self-aware

Translations

See also

• conscient

Further reading

• Jeff Prucher, editor (2007) , “sentient”, in Brave New Words: The Oxford Dictionary of Science Fiction, Oxford, Oxfordshire; New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press, ?ISBN, pages 180–181
• Jesse Sheidlower, editor (2001–2021) , “sentient adj.”, in Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction.

Noun

sentient (plural sentients)

1. Lifeform with the capability to feel sensation, such as pain.
2. (chiefly science fiction) An intelligent, self-aware being.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:sentient

References

Further reading

• Jesse Sheidlower, editor (2001–2021) , “sentient n.”, in Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction.

Latin

Verb

sentient

1. third-person plural future active indicative of senti?

English

Etymology

in- +? sentient

Adjective

insentient (comparative more insentient, superlative most insentient)

1. Having no consciousness or animation; not sentient.
2. Insensitive, indifferent.
   • 1941, Theodore Roethke, Death Piece

     His thought is tied, the curving prow

     Of motion moored to rock;

     And minutes burst upon a brow

     Insentient to shock.

Translations