'consciousness' originates from the Latin word 'conscientia,' where 'con-' meant 'with' and 'scientia' meant 'knowledge.'

'conscientia' transformed into the Old French word 'conscience,' and eventually became the modern English word 'consciousness' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'knowledge shared with another,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'awareness of one's own existence and surroundings.'