I. -nt adjective
Etymology: Latin intelligent-, intelligens, present participle of intelligere, intellegere to perceive, understand, from inter- + legere to choose, select, gather — more at legend
1.
a. : possessing intelligence or intellect : having the power of reflection or reason
assumes the existence of other worlds peopled by intelligent beings
b. : guided or directed by intelligence or intellect : rational
in the other kind of behavior, often called intelligent , the animal is able to benefit from its past experience — New Biology
2.
a. : having or indicating a high or satisfactory degree of intelligence and mental capacity or powers of perception, consideration, and correct decision : not stupid or foolish
Puritanism presupposed an intelligent clergy capable of interpreting Scripture — American Guide Series: Massachusetts
though she could not read, both her face and conversation were intelligent — Willa Cather
b. : well adapted to its purpose : being the product of intelligence of a high order : revealing or reflecting good judgment or sound comprehensive thought : wise , skillful
an intelligent decision
intelligent propaganda
an intelligent essay
3.
a. : marked by quick active perception and understanding
an intelligent person, looking out of his eyes and hearkening in his ears — R.L.Stevenson
b. archaic : showing or having some special knowledge, skill, or aptitude
Synonyms:
knowing , brilliant , smart , bright , quick-witted , clever , alert : intelligent , limited in connotational range, indicates mental capacity and power, often to a high degree, enabling one to perceive, learn, consider, and judge
what should a mature and intelligent nation do in such a crisis? … we ought to keep our heads … be alert to really serious dangers — Elmer Davis
it is fairly easy for any intelligent mother to know when the baby is hungry — Morris Fishbein
knowing may indicate ability to know or possession of special knowledge; it often applies to intimations of special information or sophistication
the knowing collectors of records — Saturday Review
the two young officers exchanged knowing glances — W.M.Thackeray
brilliant indicates uncommon, quick, shining mental keenness, capacity, achievement against difficulty
a shrewd sensible man, only not brilliant — George Meredith
first revealed with bitter and brilliant incisiveness the cynical desperation of early postwar adolescents — American Guide Series: Minnesota
smart suggests quickness in perceiving, in cannily calculating, or in successful resourcefulness
he was top of the class, and the master said he was the smartest lad in the school — D.H.Lawrence
for hundreds of years the smartest businessmen in the world have been coming in to the City of London — D.W.Brogan
smart may indicate facetious pertness
smart retorts are also cherished, especially by the young — L.J.Davidson
bright indicates a lively alert quickness in learning and understanding
the teachers all knew he was bright as brass … he took every last one of the prizes — Ellen Glasgow
foreordained that any bright person ought to have seen it coming — Harper's
quick-witted indicates quickness in arising to an occasion, in perceiving and coping with problems or dangers
a quick-witted debater hard to entangle or confuse
making their way through enemy territory under the quick-witted leadership of the captain
clever may suggest quick, apt facility at improvising, finding expedients, contriving to cope with problems
clever boys and girls like to test their minds on difficulties — Bertrand Russell
he was a clever lawyer … and had the jury eating out of his hand — Dorothy Sayers
alert indicates a wide-awake care about and concern with any emergent development that might have been unnoticed
alert and wary, making off at the first alarm — James Stevenson-Hamilton
alert to this need, Congress authorized five military highways — American Guide Series: Michigan
Synonym: see in addition mental .
II. noun
( -s )
1. obsolete : a person who conveys information : spy
2. : an intelligent being
III. adjective
1. : guided or controlled by a computer ; especially : using a built-in microprocessor for automatic operation, for processing of input data, or for achieving greater versatility
an intelligent terminal
— compare dumb herein
2. : capable of producing printed material from electronic signals
an intelligent office copier