intellect

[in-tl-ekt]

noun

1. the power or faculty of the mind by which one knows or understands, as distinguished from that by which one feels and that by which one wills; the understanding; the faculty of thinking and acquiring knowledge.

   Synonyms: common sense, sense, reason

2. capacity for thinking and acquiring knowledge, especially of a high or complex order; mental capacity.

3. a particular mind or intelligence, especially of a high order.

4. a person possessing a great capacity for thought and knowledge.

5. minds collectively, as of a number of persons or the persons themselves.

intellect

/ ˈɪntɪˌlɛkt /

noun

1. the capacity for understanding, thinking, and reasoning, as distinct from feeling or wishing

2. a mind or intelligence, esp a brilliant one

   his intellect is wasted on that job

3. informal,  a person possessing a brilliant mind; brain

4. those possessing the greatest mental power

   the intellect of a nation

Other Word Forms

• intellective adjective
• intellectively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of intellect¹

1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin intellēctus, equivalent to intelleg(ere) “to understand” + -tus suffix of verbal action; intelligent

Word History and Origins

Origin of intellect¹

C14: from Latin intellectus comprehension, intellect, from intellegere to understand; see _intelligence

Synonym Study

See mind.

Example Sentences

"His fierce intellect, coupled with a wonderful curiosity and extraordinary passion for knowledge, marks him out as one of the broadcasting greats," he said.

From BBC

A man whose determinedly narrow musical repertoire allowed him to seek perfection at the piano, Alfred Brendel's written work displayed a mind of much wider-ranging intellect.

From BBC

I had a lot of help with the physicality of Terry, with the intellect of Terry, from the stunt department and from our advisors.

From Los Angeles Times

"We had ways that we took care of our health and our environment. We had prosperity, union, respect, intellect."

From BBC

David Souter stripped aside the well-maintained fiction that justices are appointed to the Court for their erudition, their intellect, their learnedness, and their reason.

From Salon

Related Words

• ability 
• acumen 
• genius 
• intelligence 
• intuition 
• judgment 
• savvy