Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “metacognition” come from?

Metacognition comes from the prefix meta- combined with cognition, which derives from Latin cognitus, the past participle of cognoscere meaning to know or perceive.

metacognition (English): the act of thinking about thinking; sentience

Definitions

  1. the act of thinking about thinking; sentience

Ancestry of “metacognition”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcognitionThe process of knowing, of acquiring knowledge...
2Middle Englishcognicion—
3Latincognitioexamination, inquiry, investigation; learning,...
4Latincognitusknown , recognised, having been recognised;...
5Latincognōscere—
6Latinco-allomorph of con-
7Latincōn-—
8Latincumwith, along with; at; -fold
9Old LatincomAlternative form of cum
10Proto-Italickomwith, along, at
11Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
12Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
13Middle Englishkyt—
14Germankitt—
15Old High Germankuti—
16Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
17Proto-Germanickweduzresin
18Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
19Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...
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