perspicacious

adjective per·spi·ca·cious \ˌpər-spə-ˈkā-shəs\

: having or showing an ability to notice and understand things that are difficult or not obvious

Full Definition of PERSPICACIOUS

: of acute mental vision or discernment : keen

— per·spi·ca·cious·ly adverb

— per·spi·ca·cious·ness noun

— per·spi·cac·i·ty \-ˈka-sə-tē\ noun

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Origin of PERSPICACIOUS

Latin perspicac-, perspicax, from perspicere

First Known Use: 1640

Synonym Discussion of PERSPICACIOUS

shrewd, sagacious, perspicacious, astute mean acute in perception and sound in judgment. shrewd stresses practical, hardheaded cleverness and judgment <a shrewd judge of character>. sagacious suggests wisdom, penetration, and farsightedness <sagacious investors got in on the ground floor>. perspicacious implies unusual power to see through and understand what is puzzling or hidden <a perspicacious counselor saw through the child's facade>. astute suggests shrewdness, perspicacity, and diplomatic skill <an astute player of party politics>.

Rhymes with PERSPICACIOUS

arenaceous, carbonaceous, contumacious, disputatious, efficacious, farinaceous, foliaceous, gallinaceous, orchidaceous, ostentatious, pertinacious, solanaceous, violaceous

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Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "perspicacious"

Nglish: Translation of "perspicacious" for Spanish speakers

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