/in tel"i jeuhns/ , n.
1. capacity for learning, reasoning, understanding, and similar forms of mental activity; aptitude in grasping truths, relationships, facts, meanings, etc.
2. manifestation of a high mental capacity: He writes with intelligence and wit.
3. the faculty of understanding.
4. knowledge of an event, circumstance, etc., received or imparted; news; information.
5. the gathering or distribution of information, esp. secret information.
6. Govt.
a. information about an enemy or a potential enemy.
b. the evaluated conclusions drawn from such information.
c. an organization or agency engaged in gathering such information: military intelligence; naval intelligence.
7. interchange of information: They have been maintaining intelligence with foreign agents for years.
8. Christian Science. a fundamental attribute of God, or infinite Mind.
9. ( often cap. ) an intelligent being or spirit, esp. an incorporeal one, as an angel.
[ 1350-1400; ME intelligentia. See INTELLIGENT, -ENCE ]
Syn. 1. See mind. 2. discernment, reason, acumen, aptitude, penetration.
Ant. 2. stupidity.