Psychol. Also cœnesthesis, cen-. [f. Gr. κοιν-ός common + αἴσθησις sensation, perception. Cf. F. cénesthésie.] The general sense or feeling of existence arising from the sum of bodily impressions, as distinct from the definite sensations of the special senses; the vital sense.
1836–7. Sir W. Hamilton, Lect. Metaph. (1877), II. xxvii. 157. The Vital Sense receiving from various authors various synonyms, as cœnæsthesis, common feeling, vital feeling, [etc.].
1881. J. Sully, Illusions, 197. That mass of organic feelings which constitutes what is known as cœnæsthesis, or vital sense.
1882. trans. Ribot’s Dis. Memory, II. 108. The undefined consciousness, the product of all the vital processes, constituting bodily perception, and which is expressed in one word—the cœnæsthesis.
