sensation

Main Entry:: sen·sa·tion
Pronunciation:: \sen-ˈsā-shən, sən-\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: Medieval Latin sensation-, sensatio, from Late Latin, understanding, idea, from Latin sensus
Date:: 1615

1 a: a mental process (as seeing, hearing, or smelling) resulting from the immediate external stimulation of a sense organ often as distinguished from a conscious awareness of the sensory process — compare perception b: awareness (as of heat or pain) due to stimulation of a sense organ c: a state of consciousness due to internal bodily changes <a sensation of hunger> d: an indefinite bodily feeling <a sensation of buoyancy>2: something (as a physical stimulus, sense-datum, or afterimage) that causes or is the object of sensation3 a: a state of excited interest or feeling <their elopement caused a sensation> b: a cause of such excitement <the show was the musical sensation of the season> ; especially : one (as a person) in some respect exceptional or outstanding <the rookie hitting sensation of the American League>

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