Definition of Sentience

Noun: sentience sen-sh(ee-)un(t)s [N. Amer], sen-tee-un(t)s [Brit]

State of elementary or undifferentiated consciousness
"the crash intruded on his sentience";
- awareness
The faculty through which the external world is apprehended
- sense, sensation, sentiency, sensory faculty
The readiness to perceive sensations; elementary or undifferentiated consciousness
"gave sentience to slugs and newts"