synteresis

English

Etymology

From Medieval Latin syntērēsis (in Thomas Aquinas), from Ancient Greek συντήρησις (suntḗrēsis, “careful watching”), from συντηρεῖν (suntēreîn, “to keep guard”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /sɪntɪˈɹiːsɪs/

Noun

synteresis (uncountable)

1. (theology, historical) An aspect of one's conscience by which one can judge wrong from right and decide on what makes good conduct (as distinguished from syneidesis).
   • 1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC:
     , Bk.I, New York, 2001, p.166:

     Synteresis, or the purer part of the conscience, is an innate habit, and doth signify “a conservation of the knowledge of the law of God and Nature, to know good or evil”.

2. (medicine, obsolete) Preventive treatment; prophylaxis.

Related terms

• synteretic