Vocabulary in context
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Perspicacity
The ability to notice and understand things quickly; keen mental perception.
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Imagine This
The bomber pilot has a quick mind; even at 50,000 feet, he can spot each speck of the city clearly and drop the bombs accurately.
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Sounds Like
per-spi-KAS-i-tee
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Looks Like
Per_speck_of_city
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Remember This
Perspicacity comes from Latin perspicax meaning 'sharp-sighted.' It is related to perspicuous ('clearly expressed') and to the verb perspicere ('to look through').
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Other Forms
perspicaciousadjective
perspicaciouslyadverb
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Connect With
acumen, acuity, discernment, shrewdness
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Note
Perspicacity refers to mental acuity, not literal sight. It is typically used to describe depth of understanding or perceptiveness in people, not physical vision. Do not confuse with perspicuous, which means clear in expression.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- Her perspicacity helped her notice inconsistencies in the witness's testimony.
- The detective's perspicacity allowed him to solve the case quickly.
Synonyms
acumenacuitydiscernmentinsightshrewdness
Antonyms
obtusenessignorance
Etymology
From Latin perspicax 'sharp-sighted' (from perspicere 'to look through, see clearly'), with the noun-forming suffix -acy.
Mnemonic
PERSPICACITY: Per speck of city — imagine noticing every tiny speck in a city to gain sharp understanding.
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Scintillate
verbTo emit quick flashes of light; to sparkle brightly; or, figuratively, to be brilliantly lively in intellect or wit.
Altruistic
adjectiveShowing a selfless concern for the welfare of others; unselfishly generous.
Indulgent
adjectiveTending to be lenient or permissive; inclined to indulge others' desires or interests, often pampering them.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Discernment
nounThe ability to judge well; keen insight used to recognize distinctions, truth, or quality in people, information, or situations.
Abasement
nounThe act or instance of humiliating or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in dignity or status.
Absurdity
nounThe quality or state of being wildly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous; something that is completely contrary to reason or common sense.
Accent
nounA distinctive way of pronouncing words; the act of emphasizing a syllable or word (as a verb, to accent means to emphasize).
Accolade
nounAn honor; a public expression of praise or an award.
Acrimony
nounBitterness of speech or manner; ill feeling
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