Vocabulary

Question

Please advise the difference in usage between the words "unseen" and "unperceived". If a rocket is being fired, will it be at an "unseen target" or an "unperceived target"? Please give me examples of sentences with both words bein used.

Thanks.

Ismail

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Mr Wordy · Accepted Answer

"unseen" means not seen with the eyes. "unperceived" means not perceived with any of the senses. (However, "seen", and hence "unseen", can also be meant more figuratively, in which case the meaning overlaps that of "unperceived".)

I guess a rocket could be fired at an unseen target, meaning that the target could not be seen with the eye (too far away, obstructions in the way, etc.). However, someone would have to be aware of the target in order to fire the rocket at all, so I don't really see how the target could be "unperceived".

Randomly Googled example sentences:

"Of course, cement and pipes on the sea floor are exposed to corrosive seawater and unperceived seismic shifts."

"The session will also feature previously unseen footage from 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'."

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Please advise the difference in usage between the words "unseen" and "unperceived". If a rocket is being fired, will it be at an "unseen target" or an "unperceived target"? unseen

Please give me examples of sentences with both words bein used.

Here are a few comments on how these words are typically used when speaking of physical things.

see - discern by using the eyes.

eg Please move aside. I can't see the TV.

perceive - is used mostly to mean 'see and understand'.

eg When Tom smiled at Mary, his mother perceived that he was in love with her.

The word 'see' is much more common than the word 'perceive'.

Clive

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