censual

Censual is an English adjective that denotes a relation to a census or to the enumeration of a population. It is a rarity in contemporary writing and is mainly found in historical, legal, or archival texts. In everyday modern prose, writers typically use census-related, census data, or demographic terms instead of censual.

The word censual derives from Latin censualis, from census meaning an counting or enumeration, with the adjectival suffix -alis. The form appears in older English texts and survives primarily in specialised or historical contexts rather than as part of standard contemporary vocabulary.

In modern usage, censual is often considered archaic or obscure. It is distinct from sensual, which relates to the senses or physical pleasure. Readers encountering censual should not confuse it with sensual, as the intended meaning concerns population counting rather than tactile or erotic connotations. When clarity is required, it is advisable to replace censual with more explicit phrases such as census-related, census data, or census statistics.

See also: census, census data, demography, population statistics.