Sēn'sū·al, a.

(sēn'shū·al), a. [Lat. sensualis, from sensus, sense; It. sensuale, Sp., Pg., & Pr. sensual, Fr. sensuel.] 1. Pertaining to, consisting in, or affecting, the senses, or bodily organs of perception; relating to or concerning the body, in distinction from the spirit. Far as creation's ample range extends, The scale of sensual, mental powers ascends. Pope. 2. Hence, not spiritual or intellectual; carnal; fleshly; pertaining to, or consisting in, the gratification of sense, or the indulgence of appetite; luxurious; lewd;—used in a bad sense. The greatest part of men are such as prefer . . . that good which is sensual before whatsoever is most divine. Hooker. 3. Devoted to the pleasures of sense and appetite; luxurious; voluptuous. No small part of virtue consists in abstaining from that in which sensual men place their felicity. Atterbury. 4. Pertaining or peculiar to sensualism, as a philosophical doctrine.