noun

perception

pur-SEP-shun/pərˈsepʃn/

Awareness gained through the senses.

Each viewer's perception of the sculpture changes with the viewing angle.

Two adults of different backgrounds view the same irregular sculpture from opposite sides and notice different shapes.

Etymology

perLatinthoroughly

+ceptLatinto grasp, take

+ionLatinact or process

The image is of taking or grasping something completely. Latin already used this figuratively for grasping with the mind, connecting perception with how something is understood.

In context

Siebert Science4:11

most sensory information is going to be processed by the parietal lobe but also interpreted by the parietal lobe we call those interpretations perception

Brain: Cerebrum and Cerebellum (+ Broca’s, Wernicke’s, and limbic overview)

More examples

Depth perception helps us judge how far away objects are.
Our perception of sound changes as we move underwater.
Numb fingers reduce his perception of texture.

Forms

perception · perceptions

perceive verb — Become aware of something through the senses.

perceptual adjective — Relating to awareness gained through the senses.

Similar words

sensation: Emphasizes a particular sensory feeling rather than overall sensory awareness.
awareness: Broader; can arise through thought rather than through the senses.