perspicacious

English
WOTD – 7 January 2008

Etymology

First attested 1548, from Late Latin perspicācitās (“discernment”), from Latin perspicax (“sharp-sighted”), from perspiciō (“look through”), from per- (“through”) + speciō (“look at”). See also perspective.

Pronunciation
  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˌpɜː.spɪˈkeɪ.ʃəs/
  • (US) enPR: pûr'spĭ·kā'shəs, IPA(key): /ˌpɜːɹ.spɪˈkeɪ.ʃəs/
  • Audio (US)(file)
  • Rhymes: -eɪʃəs
  • Hyphenation: per‧spi‧ca‧cious

Adjective

perspicacious (comparative more perspicacious, superlative most perspicacious)

  1. (figuratively) Of acute discernment; having keen insight; mentally perceptive.
  2. (obsolete) Able to physically see clearly; quick-sighted; sharp-sighted.

Derived terms
Terms derived from perspicacious
Terms etymologically related to perspicacious

Translations
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Translations to be checked

See also
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