1 a the faculty of perceiving. b an instance of this.
2 (often foll. by of) a the intuitive recognition of a truth, aesthetic quality, etc. b an instance of this (a sudden perception of the true position).
3 Philos. the ability of the mind to refer sensory information to an external object as its cause.
Derivatives:
perceptional adj. perceptual adj. perceptually adv.
Etymology: ME f. L perceptio (as PERCEIVE)
Useful english dictionary. 2012.