ALERTNESS

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does alertness mean? 

• ALERTNESS (noun)
  The noun ALERTNESS has 3 senses:

1. the process of paying close and continuous attention

2. a state of readiness to respond

3. lively attentiveness

  Familiarity information: ALERTNESS used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ALERTNESS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The process of paying close and continuous attention

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

alertness; vigilance; wakefulness; watchfulness

Context example:

vigilance is especially susceptible to fatigue

Hypernyms ("alertness" is a kind of...):

attention (the faculty or power of mental concentration)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "alertness"):

jealousy (zealous vigilance)

Derivation:

alert (mentally perceptive and responsive)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A state of readiness to respond

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

alerting; alertness

Context example:

alerting was indicated by the desynchronization of the EEG

Hypernyms ("alertness" is a kind of...):

arousal (a state of heightened physiological activity)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Lively attentiveness

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

alertness; on the qui vive; sharp-sightedness

Hypernyms ("alertness" is a kind of...):

attentiveness (the trait of being observant and paying attention)

Derivation:

alert (engaged in or accustomed to close observation)

 Context examples 

This leads to an increase in motor activity, causes euphoria, mental alertness and excitement and suppresses appetite.

(Dexmethylphenidate Hydrochloride, NCI Thesaurus)

Tolerance to various effects develops unequally, so that tachycardia and enhanced alertness diminish while psychotoxic effects (hallucinations and delusions) may occur.

(Dextroamphetamine-amphetamine, NCI Thesaurus)

Stimulants increase brain activity, alertness, attention, and energy.

(CNS stimulant, NCI Dictionary)

The increase in synaptic concentrations of these catecholamines causes behavioral changes including an increase in motor activity, mental alertness and excitement, causes euphoria, and suppresses appetite.

(Chlorphentermine, NCI Thesaurus)

Mr. Elton looked all happiness at this proposition; and nothing could exceed his alertness and attention in conducting them into his house and endeavouring to make every thing appear to advantage.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

This suppresses appetite, increases motor activity, causes euphoria, mental alertness and excitement.

(Diethylpropion Hydrochloride, NCI Thesaurus)

This agent also plays a role in alleviating mood swings of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), increasing energy and mental alertness and heighten the ability to focus in individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

(DL-Phenylalanine, NCI Thesaurus)

A dulled or reduced level of alertness or consciousness.

(Obtundation, NCI Dictionary)

A transitory alteration in movement, sensation or autonomic nerve function due to abnormal electric activity in a localized area of the cerebral cortex, usually without change in awareness or alertness.

(Partial Seizure, NCI Thesaurus)

This leads to an increase in synaptic concentration of these neurotransmitters and results in an increase of motor activity, causes euphoria, mental alertness and excitement and suppresses appetite.

(Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, NCI Thesaurus)