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Definition of perspicacity - 3 dictionary results

per⋅spi⋅cac⋅i⋅ty

  [pur-spi-kas-i-tee]
Use perspicacity in a Sentence
–noun
1. keenness of mental perception and understanding; discernment; penetration.
2. Archaic. keen vision.
Origin:
1540–50; earlier perspicacite < LL perspicācitās sharpness of sight, equiv. to perspicāci- (s. of perspicāx sharp-sighted; see perspicuous ) + -tās -ty 2

Synonyms:
1. shrewdness, acuity, astuteness, insight, acumen. See perspicuity.

Antonyms:
1. obtuseness.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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per·spi·cac·i·ty   (pûr'spĭ-kās'ĭ-tē)   
n.  Acuteness of perception, discernment, or understanding.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

perspicacity 
1548, from M.Fr. perspicacité (15c.), from L.L. perspicacitas "sharp-sightedness, discernment," from L. perspicax "sharp-sighted," from perspicere "look through" (see perspective).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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