Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CON'SCIOUS-NESS, n.

1. The knowledge of sensations and mental operations, or of what passes in one's own mind; the act of the mind which makes known an internal object. – Locke. Reid. Encyc. Consciousness of our sensations, and consciousness of our existence, seem to be simultaneous. – Edin. Encyc. Consciousness must be an essential attribute of spirit. – Watts.
2. Internal sense or knowledge of guilt or innocence. A man may betray his consciousness of guilt by his countenance.
3. Certain knowledge from observation or experience. – Gibbon.