Main Entry: ge·nius

Pronunciation: \ˈjēn-yəs, ˈjē-nē-əs\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural ge·nius·es or ge·nii \-nē-ˌī\

Etymology: Latin, tutelary spirit, natural inclinations, from gignere to beget

Date: 1513

1 a plural genii : an attendant spirit of a person or place b plural usually genii : a person who influences another for good or bad
2 : a strong leaning or inclination : penchant
3 a : a peculiar, distinctive, or identifying character or spirit b : the associations and traditions of a place c : a personification or embodiment especially of a quality or condition
4 plural usually genii : spirit, jinni
5 plural usually geniuses a : a single strongly marked capacity or aptitude <had a genius for getting along with boys — Mary Ross> b : extraordinary intellectual power especially as manifested in creative activity c : a person endowed with transcendent mental superiority; especially : a person with a very high IQ

synonyms see gift