intellect

UK: /ˈɪntɪlɛkt/ US: /ˈɪntəlˌɛkt/ ,(in′tl ekt′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•tel•lect /ˈɪntəlˌɛkt/   n. 

[countable]
1. [the part of the mind by which one knows or understands.
2. a person who has a great capacity for learning.

See -leg-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•tel•lect  (in′tl ekt′), n. 

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.
2. capacity for thinking and acquiring knowledge, esp. of a high or complex order;
   mental capacity.
3. a particular mind or intelligence, esp. 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.

• Latin intellēctus, equivalent. to intelleg(ere) to understand + -tus suffix of verb, verbal action; see intelligent
• Middle English 1350–1400

Synonyms

• 1. reason, sense, common sense, brains. See mind. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

intellect / 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. a person possessing a brilliant mind; brain

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin intellectus comprehension, intellect, from intellegere to understand; see intelligence

ˌintelˈlective adjective

ˌintelˈlectively adverb