sensation

[sen-sey-shuh n] /sɛnˈseɪ ʃən/
noun
1.
the operation or function of the senses; perception or awareness of stimuli through the senses.
2.
a mental condition or physical feeling resulting from stimulation of a sense organ or from internal bodily change, as cold or pain.
3.
Physiology. the faculty of perception of stimuli.
4.
a general feeling not directly attributable to any given stimulus, as discomfort, anxiety, or doubt.
5.
a mental feeling, especially a state of excited feeling.
6.
a state of excited feeling or interest caused among a number of persons or throughout a community, as by some rumor or occurrence.
7.
a cause of such feeling or interest:
The new Brazilian movie was the sensation of the film festival.
Origin
1605-15; < Medieval Latin sēnsātiōn- (stem of sēnsātiō), equivalent to Late Latin sēnsāt(us) sensate + -iōn- -ion
Related forms
sensationless, adjective
nonsensation, noun
resensation, noun
subsensation, noun
Synonyms
2, 4. See sense. 6. excitement, stimulation, animation; agitation, commotion, perturbation.
Examples from the web for sensation
  • Some patients describe dizziness not as a sensation in their head, but rather as a feeling of being off-balance when walking.
  • He shows the same mastery in his delineation of the hidden germs of feeling as of those of sensation.
  • The ruling faculty is a critical perception, a commentary upon experienced feeling and sensation.
  • Any contact which arises at a sense door, or thought in the mind, has a corresponding sensation on the body.
  • Undulating, roughly carved ceiling beams add to the vertiginous sensation.
  • The sensation of flavor has until recently been one of nature's more arcane secrets.
  • The rat jumped over the barrier to avoid the unpleasant sensation.
  • Their novel sensation of freedom was perhaps too much to bear.
  • It was a humbling sensation to stand between the creature's paws, each twice my height and longer than a city bus.
  • Alcohol was put in that category because of the sensation of heat it produces going down.
British Dictionary definitions for sensation

sensation

/sɛnˈseɪʃən/
noun
1.
the power of perceiving through the senses
2.
a physical condition or experience resulting from the stimulation of one of the sense organs: a sensation of warmth
3.
a general feeling or awareness: a sensation of fear
4.
a state of widespread public excitement: his announcement caused a sensation
5.
anything that causes such a state: your speech was a sensation
Derived Forms
sensationless, adjective
Word Origin
C17: from Medieval Latin sensātiō, from Late Latin sensātussensate
Word Origin and History for sensation
n.

1610s, "a reaction to external stimulation of the sense organs," from French sensation (14c.) and directly from Medieval Latin sensationem (nominative sensatio), from Late Latin sensatus "endowed with sense, sensible," from Latin sensus "feeling" (see sense (n.)). Meaning "state of shock, surprise, in a community" first recorded 1779.

The great object of life is sensation -- to feel that we exist, even though in pain. It is this 'craving void' which drives us to gaming -- to battle, to travel -- to intemperate, but keenly felt, pursuits of any description, whose principal attraction is the agitation inseparable from their accomplishment. [Lord Byron, letter, Sept. 6, 1813]

sensation in Medicine

sensation sen·sa·tion (sěn-sā'shən)
n.

  1. A perception associated with stimulation of a sense organ or with a specific body condition.

  2. The faculty to feel or perceive; physical sensibility.

  3. An indefinite, generalized body feeling.