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semiconscious

semiconscious

2 7.2
Partly awake but not fully aware of what is happening
  • adjective
  • /ˌsɛmɪˈkɒnʃəs/
translation icon : semiconsciente
  • When the paramedics arrived, the patient was semiconscious but responsive to their voices.
  • semiconscious state

Examples

  • Within minutes, she felt herself being drawn into a semiconscious state, that never-never land between sleep and wakefulness.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Then suddenly, in his semiconscious state, Tim lifted himself up from his bed and turned to face us.

    Academic text (2001)
  • She was only semiconscious when she felt a change in the rhythm of his stroke.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • The team medic had administered a painkiller, and the soldier was only semiconscious.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Edward inspects his father, who lies semiconscious in bed, breath rattling ominously in his chest.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • She moaned, breathed with difficulty, and then collapsed in a semiconscious state.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Next to him, Yehoshua's injured crewwoman moaned in a low, semiconscious voice, only half-aware of their flight.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • After the accident, he remained semiconscious, barely aware of the chaos around him.

  • She drifted into a semiconscious state, where sounds began to fade and her thoughts became hazy.

Synonyms

semisentient
vssemiconscious
  • Specialized
9.9

Partly aware of its surroundings but not fully conscious

focuses on partial sensory awareness of surroundings rather than inner consciousness

Antonyms

82 2.8

Quick to notice and respond to what is happening

How Conscious

alert
137 3.5
conscious
179 3.8
semiconscious
2 7.2
unconscious
243 4.2

Surface Forms

semiconscious positive

Morphology

semiconscious = conscious (transparent) = semi + conscious

The meaning is directly compositional: 'semi-' means partly and 'conscious' means aware.

Etymology

Semiconscious comes from semi- meaning 'half' or 'partly' and conscious meaning 'aware'. So, someone who is semiconscious is only 'half-aware' and not fully aware of their surroundings.