Jump to content

perspicacious

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

First attested 1548, from Late Latin perspicācitās (discernment), from Latin perspicax (sharp-sighted), from perspiciō (look through), from per- (through) + speciō (look at). See also perspective.

Pronunciation

[edit]
  • (RP) IPA(key): /ˌpɜː.spɪˈkeɪ.ʃəs/
  • (US) enPR: pûr'spĭ·kā'shəs, IPA(key): /ˌpɜːɹ.spɪˈkeɪ.ʃəs/
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Rhymes: -eɪʃəs
  • Hyphenation: per‧spi‧ca‧cious

Adjective

[edit]

perspicacious (comparative more perspicacious, superlative most perspicacious)

  1. (figuratively) Of acute discernment; having keen insight; mentally perceptive.
    • 1982 April 17, David K. Jose, “Habeas Corpus”, in Gay Community News, page 3:
      As a gay prisoner my incarceration has given me a perspicacious view of our judicial system.
  2. (obsolete) Able to physically see clearly; quick-sighted; sharp-sighted.

Derived terms

[edit]
[edit]

Translations

[edit]
The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

See also

[edit]