savant syndrome

noun

: the condition in which a person having a developmental disorder (such as autism or intellectual disability) exhibits exceptional skill or brilliance in some limited field (such as mathematics or music)

People with savant syndrome, for example, often score low on intelligence tests but have an island of brilliance—some incredible ability, as in computation, drawing or musical memory …

—David G. Myers

Word History

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

savant syndrome

noun

: the condition in which a person having a developmental disorder (as autism or intellectual disability) exhibits exceptional skill or brilliance in some limited field (as mathematics or music)

People with savant syndrome, for example, often score low on intelligence tests but have an island of brilliance—some incredible ability, as in computation, drawing or musical memory.

—David G. Myers