perspicacity
Americannoun
-
keenness of mental perception and understanding; discernment; penetration.
- Synonyms:
- acumen, insight, astuteness, acuity, shrewdness
- Antonyms:
- obtuseness
-
Archaic. keen vision.
Related Words
See perspicuity.
Etymology
Origin of perspicacity
First recorded in 1540–50; earlier perspicacite, from Late Latin perspicācitās “sharpness of sight,” equivalent to perspicāci- (stem of perspicāx “sharp-sighted”; perspicuous ) + -tās -ty 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
His book, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of its namesake album, colorfully narrates an oft-overlooked chapter in the band’s history with nuance, clarity and perspicacity.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 7, 2023
Fans who prefer Ustinov in the role tend to respond to his immense warmth: He has a grandfatherly manner that makes him instantly likable, which also cleverly belies his brilliance and perspicacity.
From New York Times • Feb. 15, 2022
Then we might end up just going to places that only had newsrooms and attitudes that met the kind of high standards for diversity, disinterest and perspicacity we aspire to maintain for ourselves.
From Fox News • Jul. 17, 2020
Just like Marie Curie, who earned them for physics and chemistry and is the hero of this particular Wendy, played with a winning perspicacity by Sinclair Daniel.
From Washington Post • Dec. 11, 2019
The goat, which had slid about during the transfer, regarded him with bright-eyed perspicacity, but made no sound.
From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.