‖ synteresis
(sɪntɪˈriːsɪs)
Pl. -reses (-ˈriːsiːz).
[med.L. syntērēsis (Thomas Aquinas), a. Gr. συντήρησις careful guarding or watching, preservation, ‘scintilla conscientiæ’ (Jerome), n. of action f. συντηρεῖν to keep, guard, or observe closely, f. σύν syn-1 + τηρεῖν to guard, keep. Cf. synderesis.]
1. Theol. A name for that function or department of conscience which serves as a guide for conduct; conscience as directive of one's actions: distinguished from syneidesis. Now Hist.
| 1594 T. B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. ii. 576 Although sinne hath greatly troubled the minde..still there remayned in it some sparkles of that light of the knowledge of God, and of good and euil, which is naturally in men... This remnant that yet remayneth is commonly called by the Diuines Synteresis. 1611 W. Sclater Key (1629) 122 A great decay of those naturall syntereses, that is, principles of direction for Morall actions. 1620 R. Carpenter Conscionable Christian (1623) B j b, The Synteresis or treasury of morall principles. 1637 Nabbes Microcosm. v, Its Synteresis, Or purer part, is th' instigation Of will to good and honest things. a 1718 Penn Lib. Consc. v. Wks. 1726 I. 453 That Great Synteresis, so much renowned by Philosophers and Civilians, learns Mankind, To do as they would be done to. 1911 E. Underhill Mysticism i. iii. 64 The divine nucleus, the point of contact between man's life and the divine life..has been given many names... Sometimes it is called the Synteresis, the keeper or preserver of his being. |
† b. Sense of guilt, remorse. (Cf. synderesis b.)
| 1650 Five Philos. Quest. Answ. v. 1 He whose conscience is tainted with the synteresis of the fact, is troubled in such sort that..he often bewrayes his owne guiltinesse. |
2. Med. Prophylactic or preventive treatment. (Probably only a book-term.)
| 1848 Dunglison Med. Lex. 1864 Webster. |
So † synteresy (in 7 -ie). rare—0.
| 1616 Bullokar Eng. Expos., Synteresie, the inward conscience: or a naturall qualitie ingrafted in the soule, which inwardly informeth a man, whether he do well or ill. 1658 Phillips, Synteresie (Gr.), a remorce, or sting of conscience. |