Pl. -eses. [med.L. syntērēsis (Thomas Aquinas), a. Gr. ουντήρησις careful guarding or watching, preservation, ‘scintilla conscientiæ’ (Jerome), n. of action f. συντηρεῖν to keep, guard, or observe closely, f. σύν SYN- + τηρεῖν to guard, keep. Cf. SYNDERESIS.]
1. Theol. A name for that function or department of conscience that 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), 123. 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. Evelyn Underhill, Mysticism, I. iii. 64. The divine nucleus, the point of contact between man’s life and the divine life in which it is immersed and sustained, 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, Synteresic (Gr.), a remorce, or sting of conscience.
