ˈsɛn.tɚ ˈsɛn.tə(ɹ) ˈsen.tə(ɹ) ˈsɛn.tɚ ˈɛsəns dʒɪst hɑːt hɑɹt ˈkɜːnəl ˈkɝnəl ˈmæɹəʊ ˈmæɹoʊ miːt ˌnɪtiˈɡɹɪti ˈnɪtiˈɡɹɪti nʌb pɪθ ˈsʌbstəns preoccupation with what concerns human inner nature (especially ethical or ideological values) Socrates' inwardness, integrity, and inquisitiveness the quality or state of being inward or internal the inwardness of the body's organs preoccupation especially with one's attitudes and ethical or ideological values the sensitiveness of James's characters, their seeming inwardness inwardness is what an Englishman quite simply has, painlessly, as a birthright the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience the gist of the prosecutor's argument the heart and soul of the Republican Party the nub of the story