Conscientious
/ˌkɒn.ʃiˈen.ʃəs/noun
Careful to do what is right and to fulfill duties thoroughly.
Did you know?Latin conscientia originally meant shared or inward knowledge before developing its moral sense as an inner awareness of right and wrong.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*skeh₁y-
“To distinguish or separate by cutting; the reconstructed root traditionally connected with Latin knowledge through the idea of discerning.”
Classical Latin
Latin
sciō / sciēns
“I know / knowing; the source of English words connected with knowledge.”
Classical Latin
Latin
con-sciēns
“Knowing together or inwardly aware; the present participle behind conscience.”
Classical Latin
Latin
conscientia
“Knowledge shared with oneself or moral awareness; conscience.”
Late Latin
Latin
conscientiosus
“Conscientious or possessing conscience; formed from conscientia.”
16th Century
English
conscientious
“Guided by conscience; careful and scrupulous in doing one's duty.”
Modern English
English
conscientious
“Thorough, responsible, and attentive to moral or practical obligations.”