proprioception
/ˌproʊpriəˈsɛpʃən/
noun
Origin
Latin
proprius + capere — one's own + to take/grasp
Overview
Meaning Now
- The sense of the relative position of one's own parts of the body and strength of effort being employed in movement.
Literal older meaning
perception of one's own (parts)
Language path
Latin → English
Earliest form
proprioception
Earliest period
1906
Journey
The term was coined by the British neurophysiologist Sir Charles Sherrington in 1906. It was essential for defining the 'sixth sense' that allows humans to navigate their environment without relying solely on sight, distinguishing it from exteroception (perception of the outside world).
Evolution
- Latin
proprius
“one's own”
- Latin
capere
“to take”
- Modern English (1906)
proprioception
“the perception of self-movement and body position”
Coined by physiologist Charles Sherrington.
Connections
Word parts
propri-
root
one's own
-o-
other
connecting vowel
-ception
suffix
act of taking or receiving
Related across languages
French
proprioception
Italian
propriocezione
proprioception
Explore next
Related to proprioception
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.