intelligent English · revision 6211

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing, back-formation|attested=1509|origins=la intellegere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒənt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is probably a back-formation from [[intelligence]], modelled on [[bor|la|intelligēns|t=discerning, understanding]] (accusative intelligentem),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) the present participle of [[m|la|intelligere]], earlier [[m|la|intellegere|t=to understand, perceive]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002) literally “to choose among”, from [[m|la|inter|t=between]] and [[m|la|legere|t=to choose, gather]].^(SOED 2002)^(NODE 1998)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Having a high degree of understanding, quick to understand: 1509.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) Etymonline dates it to about 1500, and MWU's first known use for one sense is 1585.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Understanding or knowing a particular thing, conversant with it, is from 1546,^(OED 1989) and having the faculty of understanding at all, possessing intellect, from 1598.^(OED 1989) In Shakespeare's time it could also mean bearing information, communicative (1605).^(OED 1989) Of speech or action, showing understanding, is from 1842.^(OED 1989) A person of intelligence was an intelligent from 1601, now rare.^(OED 1989) Of a device or machine, able to vary its behaviour in response to changing situations, as an ''intelligent terminal'', is from 1969.^(OED 1989)^(AHD) ''Intelligent design'', as a name for an alternative to the theory of evolution, is from 1999.^(Etymonline) [[intelligence|alt=Intelligence]] is older, about 1380 in Chaucer's Boethius.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1380 – intelligence, in Chaucer.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1509 – quick to understand.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1546 – conversant with something.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1598 – having understanding.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1842 – showing understanding.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1969 – of a machine.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1999 – intelligent design.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Having [[intelligence]], or a high degree of it; mentally quick.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Showing good judgment and reason: ''an intelligent choice''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of a machine or device, able to store and process data and respond to changing conditions.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[intelligential]]

+ * [[intelligently]]

+ * [[hyperintelligent]]

+ * [[nonintelligent]]

+ * [[superintelligent]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[intelligence]]

+ * [[intellect]]

+ * [[intellectual]]

+ * [[intelligible]]

+ * [[intelligentsia]]

+ * [[legend]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The AHD compares intelligent with [[bright]], [[brilliant]], [[knowing]], [[quick-witted]], [[smart]] and [[intellectual]]; intelligent usually implies the ability to cope with new demands and to solve problems.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}