preconscious

[ pree-kon-shuhs ]

adjective

1. Psychoanalysis. absent from but capable of being readily brought into consciousness.
2. occurring prior to the development of consciousness.

noun

1. the preconscious portion of the mind; foreconscious.

preconscious

/ priːˈkɒnʃəs /

adjective

1. psychol prior to the development of consciousness

noun

1. psychoanal mental contents or activity not immediately in consciousness but readily brought there

Derived Forms

• preˈconsciously, adverb
• preˈconsciousness, noun

Other Words From

• pre·conscious·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of preconscious¹

First recorded in 1855–60; pre- + conscious

Example Sentences

The brains of blindsighted people appear to exploit preconscious areas of the visual system, yielding sighted behavior without visual experience.

From Nautilus

On some preconscious level, we never outgrow this expectation or fear about our omnipresent mothers.

From The Daily Beast

Bones of the mindful Romans—and savage, preconscious trees, indomitable.

From Project Gutenberg

And his mind, as far back as his preconscious and the upper fringes of his subconscious, agreed with his words.

From Project Gutenberg

Dr. Konrad Bern, on the other hand, was difficult to read below the preconscious stage.

From Project Gutenberg

So, as far as possible, there must be in me no departure from myself, lest I injure the preconscious dynamic relation.

From Project Gutenberg

I wish I was a halfway decent telepath, I'd like to know what's going on in your preconscious.

From Project Gutenberg