perspicacity

American  

[pur-spi-kas-i-tee] / ˌpɜr spɪˈkæs ɪ ti /

noun

1. keenness of mental perception and understanding; discernment; penetration.

   Synonyms:

   acumen, insight, astuteness, acuity, shrewdness

   Antonyms:

   obtuseness

2. Archaic. keen vision.

---

Synonym Usage

See perspicuity.

Etymology

Origin of perspicacity

First recorded in 1540–50; earlier perspicacite, from Late Latin perspicācitās “sharpness of sight,” equivalent to perspicāci- (stem of perspicāx “sharp-sighted”; see perspicuous) + -tās -ty ²

Explanation

If you devote long hours to the arts of attention and analysis, you might develop the perspicacity required to become a really good detective. Perspicacity comes from the Latin word for penetrating sight. If you have perspicacity, you are good at discerning what is really going on where others might only see surface clues. Perspicacity is a quality that many professionals need, from detectives to doctors to therapists. If someone is perspicacious, we might also say they have a "shrewd mind," or a "keen intelligence."

Example Sentences

His book, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of its namesake album, colorfully narrates an oft-overlooked chapter in the band’s history with nuance, clarity and perspicacity.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 7, 2023

Thursday is also one of the few people who respects Morse's perspicacity and empathy.

From Salon • Jun. 19, 2022

Embedding herself into various corners of the bureaucratic medical machine, Maloney describes everyone she encounters with the same perspicacity.

From New York Times • Feb. 25, 2022

Now, having reread “Nemesis” for the first time since its release exactly a decade ago, I cannot help but be unnerved by its prophetic perspicacity.

From Washington Post • Apr. 4, 2020

The goat, which had slid about during the transfer, regarded him with bright-eyed perspicacity, but made no sound.

From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick