savant

See also: Savant

English

Etymology

Borrowed from French savant, from Latin sapere. Doublet of sapient.

Noun

savant (plural savants)

  1. A person of learning, especially one who is versed in literature or science.
  2. A person who is considered eminent because of their achievements.
  3. A person with significant mental disabilities who is very gifted in one area of activity, such as playing the piano or mental arithmetic.
    Synonym: idiot savant

Derived terms
Derived terms

Translations
The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout#Translations.
Translations to be checked

Synonyms

References
  • “savant” in Douglas Harper, Online Etymology Dictionary, 2001–2019.

Anagrams

French

Etymology

Old present participle of the verb savoir (modern: sachant).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /sa.vɑ̃/
  • audio(file)

Adjective

savant (feminine singular savante, masculine plural savants, feminine plural savantes)

  1. scholarly, scientific
  2. perfect
    savant mélange
    perfect blend

Synonyms
  • érudit, though the two are often juxtaposed (savants being portrayed as wise, the erudite as book-smart)

Derived terms

Noun

savant m (plural savants, feminine savante)

  1. scholar, scientist.

Verb

savant

  1. (obsolete) present participle of savoir

Further reading

Anagrams
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