n. 1 a the intellect; the understanding. b (of a person or an animal) quickness of understanding; wisdom. 2 a the collection of information, esp. of military or political value. b people employed in this. c archaic information; news. 3 an intelligent or rational being. intelligence department a usu. government department engaged in collecting esp. secret information. intelligence quotient a number denoting the ratio of a person's intelligence to the normal or average. intelligence test a test designed to measure intelligence rather than acquired knowledge. intelligential adj.
[ ME f. OF f. L intelligentia (as INTELLIGENT) ]