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introspection (n.)1670s, "action of closely inspecting or examining," noun of action from past participle stem of Latin introspicere "to look into, look at, examine, observe attentively," from intro- "inward" (see intro-) + specere "to look at" (from PIE root *spek- "to observe"). Meaning "action of searching one's feelings or thoughts" is from 1807.
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extraspection (n.)"outward observation," 1887, from extra- + ending from introspection.
Related entries & more introspective (adj.)"having the quality of looking within," 1820 (Southey), from Latin introspect-, past participle stem of introspicere "look into, look at" (see introspection) + -ive. Related: Introspectively; introspectiveness.
Related entries & more introspect (v.)1680s, "to look into" (transitive), from Latin introspectus, past participle of introspicere "look at, look into; examine, observe attentively," from intro- "inward" (see intro-) + specere "to look at" (from PIE root *spek- "to observe"). Meaning "look within, search one's feelings or thoughts" is from 1875, a back-formation from introspection. Related: Introspected; introspecting.
Related entries & more self-perception (n.)
Related entries & more "faculty of the immediate introspection of the soul by itself," 1670s, from self- + perception.
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