Main Entry:

in·tel·lect

Pronunciation:

\ˈin-tə-ˌlekt\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin intellectus, from intellegere to understand — more at intelligent

Date:

14th century

1 a: the power of knowing as distinguished from the power to feel and to will : the capacity for knowledge b: the capacity for rational or intelligent thought especially when highly developed2: a person with great intellectual powers