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-ty2
Synonyms: 1.shrewdness, acuity, astuteness, insight, acumen. See perspicuity.
1548, from M.Fr. perspicacité (15c.), from L.L. perspicacitas "sharp-sightedness, discernment," from L. perspicax "sharp-sighted," from perspicere "look through" (see perspective).