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intellect

[in-tl-ekt]

Origin

noun

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.

capacity for thinking and acquiring knowledge, especially of a high or complex order; mental capacity.

a particular mind or intelligence, especially of a high order.

a person possessing a great capacity for thought and knowledge.

minds collectively, as of a number of persons or the persons themselves.

Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin intellēctus, equivalent to intelleg(ere) to understand + -tus suffix of v. action; see intelligent

Synonyms
1. reason, sense, common sense, brains. See mind.

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Intellect is always a great word to know.

So is bezoar. Does it mean:

the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.

a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.

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Collins

World English Dictionary

intellect (ˈɪntɪˌlɛkt)

—n
1.	the capacity for understanding, thinking, and reasoning, as distinct from feeling or wishing
2.	a mind or intelligence, esp a brilliant one: his intellect is wasted on that job
3.	informal a person possessing a brilliant mind; brain
4.	those possessing the greatest mental power: the intellect of a nation

[C14: from Latin intellectus comprehension, intellect, from intellegere to understand; see intelligence]

intel'lective

—*adj*

intel'lectively

—*adv*

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

intellect

late 14c., from L. intellectus "discernment, understanding," from pp. stem of intelligere "to understand, discern" (see intelligence).

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