intellect

American  

[in-tl-ekt] / ˈɪn tlˌɛkt /

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.

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intellect British  

/ 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

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Related Words

See mind.

Other Word Forms

• intellective adjective
• intellectively adverb

Etymology

Origin of intellect

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

Example Sentences

Neves Valente had an impressive intellect but often became frustrated, “sometimes angry,” about life at Brown, Watson said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Augustine’s combativeness, intellect and astonishing productivity brought him to a position of unrivaled influence within the church.

From The Wall Street Journal

So for my annual holiday columna recommending great books about Southern California, I’m sticking to formats that lend themselves to easier reading — bite-size jewels of intellect, if you will.

From Los Angeles Times

But before Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch was ultimately crowned, chaos reigned -- from allegations of an insult to her intellect, to judges quitting and participants taking flops on and off the stage.

From Barron's

The flip side of his enormous intellect, say critics, is a towering arrogance that alienated many over the years.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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