'Consciousness' definitions:

Definition of 'consciousness'

(from WordNet)
noun
An alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation; "he lost consciousness" [ant: unconsciousness]
noun
Having knowledge of; "he had no awareness of his mistakes"; "his sudden consciousness of the problem he faced"; "their intelligence and general knowingness was impressive" [syn: awareness, consciousness, cognizance, cognisance, knowingness] [ant: incognizance]

Definition of 'Consciousness'

From: GCIDE
  • Consciousness \Con"scious*ness\, n.
  • 1. The state of being conscious; knowledge of one's own existence, condition, sensations, mental operations, acts, etc. [1913 Webster]
  • Consciousness is thus, on the one hand, the recognition by the mind or "ego" of its acts and affections; -- in other words, the self-affirmation that certain modifications are known by me, and that these modifications are mine. --Sir W. Hamilton. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Immediate knowledge or perception of the presence of any object, state, or sensation. See the Note under Attention. [1913 Webster]
  • Annihilate the consciousness of the object, you annihilate the consciousness of the operation. --Sir W. Hamilton. [1913 Webster]
  • And, when the steam Which overflowed the soul had passed away, A consciousness remained that it had left. . . . images and precious thoughts That shall not die, and can not be destroyed. --Wordsworth. [1913 Webster]
  • The consciousness of wrong brought with it the consciousness of weakness. --Froude. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Feeling, persuasion, or expectation; esp., inward sense of guilt or innocence. [R.] [1913 Webster]
  • An honest mind is not in the power of a dishonest: to break its peace there must be some guilt or consciousness. --Pope. [1913 Webster]