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.
He’s a highly intelligent and accomplished executive; no one without his ability and perspicacity could have remained CEO of the nation’s largest bank company for 18 years and its chairman for 17.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 17, 2024
In place of firebrand feminism, the film emphasizes decency, perspicacity and rigor.
From New York Times ● Nov. 16, 2022
Nevertheless, the book’s scope and the perspicacity of her writing evince the reading and thinking of a long life well lived.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 26, 2022
Let's just say that it doesn't say much for Romney's perspicacity that he didn't realize this earlier.
From Salon ● Jan. 4, 2019
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
Definitions 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.
