/in"tl ekt'/ , n.
1. the power or faculty of the mind by which one knows or understands, as distinguished from that by which one feels and that by which one wills; the understanding; the faculty of thinking and acquiring knowledge.
2. capacity for thinking and acquiring knowledge, esp. of a high or complex order; mental capacity.
3. a particular mind or intelligence, esp. of a high order.
4. a person possessing a great capacity for thought and knowledge.
5. minds collectively, as of a number of persons or the persons themselves.
[ 1350-1400; ME intellectus, equiv. to intelleg ( ere ) to understand + -tus suffix of v. action; see INTELLIGENT ]
Syn. 1. reason, sense, common sense, brains. See mind .