SHREWD


Meaning of SHREWD in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈshrüd, especially Southern ]

ˈsrüd adjective

Etymology: Middle English shrewed, from shrewe + -ed (I)

Date: 13th century

1. archaic : mischievous

2. obsolete : abusive , shrewish

3. obsolete : ominous , dangerous

4.

a. : severe , hard

a shrewd knock

b. : sharp , piercing

a shrewd wind

5.

a. : marked by clever discerning awareness and hardheaded acumen

shrewd common sense

b. : given to wily and artful ways or dealing

a shrewd operator

• shrewd·ly adverb

• shrewd·ness noun

Synonyms:

shrewd , sagacious , perspicacious , astute mean acute in perception and sound in judgment. shrewd stresses practical, hardheaded cleverness and judgment

a shrewd judge of character

sagacious suggests wisdom, penetration, and farsightedness

sagacious investors got in on the ground floor

perspicacious implies unusual power to see through and understand what is puzzling or hidden

a perspicacious counselor saw through the child's facade

astute suggests shrewdness, perspicacity, and diplomatic skill

an astute player of party politics

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.