perspicacity
Americannoun
-
keenness of mental perception and understanding; discernment; penetration.
- Synonyms:
- acumen, insight, astuteness, acuity, shrewdness
- Antonyms:
- obtuseness
-
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."
Vocabulary lists containing perspicacity
The Count of Monte Cristo
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"Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte, Chapters 10–14
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Wuthering Heights
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Justice Alito defends the chief from that criticism by reflecting on the ways in which both judging and umpiring require experience, study and perspicacity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
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
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
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
