First Known Use: 1579
Dictionary
emotion
noun emo·tion \i-ˈmō-shən\
: a strong feeling (such as love, anger, joy, hate, or fear)
Full Definition of EMOTION
1
a obsolete : disturbance b : excitement
2
a : the affective aspect of consciousness : feeling b : a state of feeling c : a conscious mental reaction (as anger or fear) subjectively experienced as strong feeling usually directed toward a specific object and typically accompanied by physiological and behavioral changes in the body
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Origin of EMOTION
Middle French, from emouvoir to stir up, from Old French esmovoir, from Latin emovēre to remove, displace, from e- + movēre to move
Related to EMOTION
Synonym Discussion of EMOTION
feeling, emotion, affection, sentiment, passion mean a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation. feeling denotes any partly mental, partly physical response marked by pleasure, pain, attraction, or repulsion; it may suggest the mere existence of a response but imply nothing about the nature or intensity of it <the feelings that once moved me are gone>. emotion carries a strong implication of excitement or agitation but, like feeling, encompasses both positive and negative responses <the drama portrays the emotions of adolescence>. affection applies to feelings that are also inclinations or likings <a memoir of childhood filled with affection for her family>. sentiment often implies an emotion inspired by an idea <her feminist sentiments are well known>. passion suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion <revenge became his ruling passion>.
Other Psychology Terms
Rhymes with EMOTION
EMOTION Defined for Kids
emotion
noun emo·tion \i-ˈmō-shən\
Definition of EMOTION for Kids
: strong feeling (as anger, love, joy, or fear) often accompanied by a physical reaction <She flushed with emotion.>
Medical Dictionary
emotion
noun emo·tion \i-ˈmō-shən\
Medical Definition of EMOTION
1
: the affective aspect of consciousness
2
: a state of feeling
3
: a conscious mental reaction (as anger or fear) subjectively experienced as strong feeling usually directed toward a specific object and typically accompanied by physiological and behavioral changes in the body—compare affect
—emo·tion·al \-shnəl, -shən-əl\ adjective
—emo·tion·al·i·ty \-ˌmō-shə-ˈnal-ət-ē\ noun, plural emo·tion·al·i·ties
—emo·tion·al·ly \-ˈmō-shnə-lē, -shən-əl-ē\ adverb
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