genius
[ jeen-yuhs ]
/ ˈdʒin yəs /
noun, plural gen·ius·es for 2, 3, 8, gen·i·i [jee-nee-ahy] /ˈdʒi niˌaɪ/ for 6, 7, 9, 10.
Origin of genius
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin: “tutelary deity or genius of a person”; cf.
genus
SYNONYMS FOR genius
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH genius
genius genusWords nearby genius
Definition for genius (2 of 2)
genius loci
[ gen-i-oo s loh-kee; English jee-nee-uh s loh-sahy, -kahy ]
/ ˈgɛn ɪˌʊs ˈloʊ ki; English ˈdʒi ni əs ˈloʊ saɪ, -kaɪ /
noun Latin.
the guardian spirit of a place.
the distinctive character or atmosphere of a place with reference to the impression that it makes on the mind.
Example sentences from the Web for genius
British Dictionary definitions for genius (1 of 2)
genius
/ (ˈdʒiːnɪəs, -njəs) /
noun plural -uses or for senses 5, 6 genii (ˈdʒiːnɪˌaɪ)
a person with exceptional ability, esp of a highly original kind
such ability or capacity
Mozart's musical genius
the distinctive spirit or creative nature of a nation, era, language, etc
a person considered as exerting great influence of a certain sort
an evil genius
Roman myth
- the guiding spirit who attends a person from birth to death
- the guardian spirit of a place, group of people, or institution
Arabian myth (usually plural)
a demon; jinn
Word Origin for genius
C16: from Latin, from
gignere to beget
British Dictionary definitions for genius (2 of 2)
genius loci
/ Latin (ˈdʒiːnɪəs ˈləʊsaɪ) /
noun
the guardian spirit of a place
the special atmosphere of a particular place
Word Origin for genius loci
genius of the place