intelligent
UK[ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒ(ə)nt]US[ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒənt]
adj
Having or showing the ability to easily learn or understand things or to deal with new or difficult situations.
adj
(of a device or system) Able to vary its state or action in response to varying situations and past experience.
Morpheme Breakdown
intel
lig
ent
intel
between, among
lig
to choose, to read, to gather
ent
being, having the quality of
Etymology
The word 'intelligent' originates from the Latin present participle intelligens, which is derived from the verb intelligere, meaning "to understand, to comprehend." This verb itself is a compound of inter- ("between") and legere ("to choose, gather, read"). The literal sense is "to choose between," implying the act of discerning or making a distinction. Over time, this evolved into the broader meaning of "to perceive, to understand." The English adjective, adopted in the late 16th century, retains this core idea of having the faculty of understanding, the ability to gather and discriminate information effectively.
Analysis
Structure: intel + lig + ent
- intel: From Latin inter-, meaning "between, among".
- lig: From Latin -leg- (root of legere), meaning "to choose, to read, to gather".
- ent: From Latin -ent- (present participial suffix), meaning "being, having the quality of".
Examples
She asked some highly intelligent questions during the lecture.
Dolphins are considered to be remarkably intelligent creatures.
The development of intelligent software is transforming many industries.