senso-, sens-, sensi-, sensori-, sent-
(Latin: feeling, perception through physical awareness; to discern or detect by touch, smell, taste, sight, hearing, etc.)
The words in this list refer either to physical or mental perceptions, or a combination of both of them.
2. A measuring instrument that is used to determine the degree of responsiveness to a stimulus, such as the reactions to various amounts of light: The ophthalmologist used a sensitometer during her examination of Mr. Kaspar's ability to see so she could measure the reactions of the pupils of his eyes to light.
Some libraries use sensors at their exits in order to make sure that no one is taking materials away without making proper check outs.
2. Any detection instrument that is used to determine temperature, moisture, radiation, light, distance, or motion: There are all kinds of sensors which are being utilized to gain information that is essential for the well-being of humanity.After the explosion of the building where he worked, Jerrod lost some of his sensorial functions, such as his hearing and sight.
In the sensorimotor stage, from birth to about the age of two, babies adapt to their environment through their senses and actions by looking, hearing, touching, mouthing, and grasping.
When people hold their noses and close their eyes, and have others feed them various foods, their sensory interactions can cause a slice of apple to be indistinguishable from a chunk of raw potato, a piece of steak may taste like cardboard, and without their odors, a cup of cold coffee can be hard to distinguish from a glass of red wine.
Sensory interaction also influences how well people hear, such as those with hearing losses watching a video with captioning have no trouble hearing the words they are seeing, but when the captioning is turned off, they suddenly realize that they need it.
During the neurological assessment, the medical clinician checked the functions of some of the sensory receptors of the stroke patient.
2. Relating to or preoccupied with the gratification of physical appetites: The unreliable land agent for the estate indulged in many sensual activities which made him unfit to continue his position.
Sensual (activities) consist of an unusual fondness for life, liberty, and the happiness of pursuit.
Brian's brother has an excessive sensuality for eating and that is why he is called a glutton and is overweight.
If you would like to take self-scoring quizzes over many of the words in this section, then click on these Sensory Quizzes so you can see how much you know about the following "senso-, sensi-" words or learn more about them.
Related-word units meaning feeling: aesth-; pass-, pati-; patho-.