intellect
[ in-tl-ekt ]
/ ˈɪn tlˌɛkt /
noun
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.
capacity for thinking and acquiring knowledge, especially of a high or complex order; mental capacity.
a particular mind or intelligence, especially of a high order.
a person possessing a great capacity for thought and knowledge.
minds collectively, as of a number of persons or the persons themselves.
Origin of intellect
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin
intellēctus, equivalent to
intelleg(ere) to understand +
-tus suffix of v. action; see
intelligent
SYNONYMS FOR intellect
Words nearby intellect
Example sentences from the Web for intellect
British Dictionary definitions for intellect
intellect
/ (ˈɪntɪˌlɛkt) /
noun
the capacity for understanding, thinking, and reasoning, as distinct from feeling or wishing
a mind or intelligence, esp a brilliant one
his intellect is wasted on that job
informal
a person possessing a brilliant mind; brain
those possessing the greatest mental power
the intellect of a nation
Derived forms of intellect
intellective, adjective intellectively, adverbWord Origin for intellect
C14: from Latin
intellectus comprehension, intellect, from
intellegere to understand; see
intelligence