aftersensation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1+Academic / Technical (Psychology, Neuroscience, Ophthalmology)
Quick answer
What does “aftersensation” mean?
A sensory impression, especially of light or colour, that persists after the original stimulus has ceased.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sensory impression, especially of light or colour, that persists after the original stimulus has ceased.
In broader psychology, any lingering perceptual experience following the removal of the stimulus that caused it.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference; term is identical in both variants.
Connotations
Technical and neutral in both.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language, used almost exclusively in specialised contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “aftersensation” in a Sentence
[Subject] experiences/has an aftersensation of [sensation]The [stimulus] produced a vivid aftersensation.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “aftersensation” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The experiment measured the duration of the visual aftersensation.
- He reported a greenish aftersensation following the bright flash.
American English
- The researcher documented a tactile aftersensation in the subjects.
- A strong aftersensation of the pattern remained in her visual field.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in psychology and neuroscience papers to describe post-stimulus perceptual phenomena.
Everyday
Extremely rare; a layperson might say 'afterimage' instead.
Technical
Precise term in psychophysics and visual perception research.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “aftersensation”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “aftersensation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “aftersensation”
- Misspelling as 'after sensation' (should be one word or hyphenated).
- Using it to refer to an emotional after-effect.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very similar. 'Afterimage' is the common term, specifically for vision. 'Aftersensation' is a more formal, technical term that can apply to other senses as well, though it's most often used visually.
It would sound very technical and unusual. In everyday speech, 'afterimage' (for sight) or 'aftereffect' are much more natural choices.
A positive aftersensation retains the same colours/brightness as the original stimulus. A negative aftersensation is its complement (e.g., seeing a dark shape after looking at a light one, or complementary colours).
It can be found as one word ('aftersensation') or hyphenated ('after-sensation'), though the one-word form is more common in modern technical writing.
A sensory impression, especially of light or colour, that persists after the original stimulus has ceased.
Aftersensation is usually academic / technical (psychology, neuroscience, ophthalmology) in register.
Aftersensation: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɑːftəsɛnˈseɪʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæftɚsɛnˈseɪʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
AFTER + SENSATION = a sensation that comes AFTER the real one has ended.
Conceptual Metaphor
PERCEPTION IS A TRACE (the stimulus leaves a trace that continues to be perceived).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'aftersensation' MOST commonly used?