Mental States Vocabulary

having knowledge or being aware of

“She was cognizant of the risks involved.”

Origin: Latin cognoscere `get to know` (co- `together` + gnoscere `know`)

able to perceive or feel things

“The debate over whether AI can become sentient continues.”

Origin: Latin sentire `to feel, perceive`

aware of and responding to one's surroundings

“He was barely conscious after the accident.”

Origin: Latin conscius `knowing with others` (con- `together` + scire `to know`)

expressed clearly; mentally clear

“Despite her age, she remained remarkably lucid.”

Origin: Latin lucidus `bright, clear` from lux `light`

mentally or physically inactive; lethargic

“The heat left everyone feeling torpid and slow.”

Origin: Latin torpidus `numb` from torpere `be stiff or numb`

a state of near-unconsciousness or insensibility

“He sat in a drunken stupor, unable to respond.”

Origin: Latin stupor `numbness, stupefaction` from stupere `be struck senseless`

to fabricate imaginary experiences as compensation for memory loss

“Patients with certain brain injuries may confabulate to fill gaps.”

Origin: Latin confabulari `converse, chat` (con- `together` + fabulari `to talk` from fabula `story`)

to disconnect or separate; to undergo dissociation

“She learned to dissociate from traumatic memories.”

Origin: Latin dissociare `separate` (dis- `apart` + sociare `to join` from socius `companion`)

absorbed in thought; engrossed

“He was too preoccupied to notice her arrival.”

Origin: Latin praeoccupare `seize beforehand` (prae- `before` + occupare `to seize`)

showing a lack of attention because the mind is elsewhere

“Her abstracted manner suggested deep preoccupation.”

Origin: Latin abstrahere `draw away` (ab- `from` + trahere `to draw`)

having one's attention fully engaged

“She was completely absorbed in the novel.”

Origin: Latin absorbere `swallow up` (ab- `from` + sorbere `suck in`)

filled with wonder and delight

“The children were entranced by the magic show.”

Origin: French entrer `enter` (from Latin intrare) + English trance (from Latin transire `go across`)