UNCONSCIOUS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does unconscious mean? 

• UNCONSCIOUS (noun)
  The noun UNCONSCIOUS has 1 sense:

1. that part of the mind wherein psychic activity takes place of which the person is unaware

  Familiarity information: UNCONSCIOUS used as a noun is very rare.

• UNCONSCIOUS (adjective)
  The adjective UNCONSCIOUS has 3 senses:

1. not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead

2. without conscious volition

3. (followed by 'of') not knowing or perceiving

  Familiarity information: UNCONSCIOUS used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• UNCONSCIOUS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

That part of the mind wherein psychic activity takes place of which the person is unaware

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

unconscious; unconscious mind

Hypernyms ("unconscious" is a kind of...):

brain; head; mind; nous; psyche (that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason)

Meronyms (parts of "unconscious"):

superego ((psychoanalysis) that part of the unconscious mind that acts as a conscience)

id ((psychoanalysis) primitive instincts and energies underlying all psychic activity)

• UNCONSCIOUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead

Context example:

lay unconscious on the floor

Similar:

innocent ((used of things) lacking sense or awareness)

subconscious (just below the level of consciousness)

semicomatose (in a state of partial coma)

nonconscious (concerning mental functioning that is not represented in consciousness)

kayoed; knocked out; KO'd; out; stunned (knocked unconscious by a heavy blow)

insensible; out of it; senseless (unresponsive to stimulation)

comatose (in a state of deep and usually prolonged unconsciousness; unable to respond to external stimuli)

cold (unconscious from a blow or shock or intoxication)

Also:

incognizant; unaware ((often followed by 'of') not aware)

asleep (in a state of sleep)

insensible (incapable of physical sensation)

involuntary; nonvoluntary; unvoluntary (not subject to the control of the will)

Antonym:

conscious (knowing and perceiving; having awareness of surroundings and sensations and thoughts)

Derivation:

unconsciousness (a state lacking normal awareness of the self or environment)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Without conscious volition

Similar:

involuntary; nonvoluntary; unvoluntary (not subject to the control of the will)

Sense 3

Meaning:

(followed by 'of') not knowing or perceiving

Context example:

happily unconscious of the new calamity at home

Similar:

incognizant; unaware ((often followed by 'of') not aware)

Derivation:

unconsciousness (a state lacking normal awareness of the self or environment)

 Context examples 

Unconscious of my blunder, I passed by Wolf Larsen and the hunter and flung the ashes over the side to windward.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

"Your what?" cried Jo, for Laurie uttered those two words with an unconscious pride and satisfaction which betrayed him.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

There did not seem to be with her now the unconscious struggle for life and strength that had hitherto so marked her illness.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

And you think that they brought you back all that way when you were unconscious?

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

No; you will continue the same; unconscious of the pleasure or the regret you occasion, and insensible of any change in those who walk under your shade!

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Emma could look perfectly unconscious and innocent, and answer in a manner that appropriated nothing.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

His misty little mind had already made an unconscious classification.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Unconscious of this prediction, Mr. Dick continued to occupy precisely the same ground in reference to the Doctor and to Mrs. Strong.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Men were holding their breaths, intensely unconscious of the fact.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

There remain three persons who have been grievously stricken by some conscious or unconscious human agency. That is firm ground.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)