perspicacious
adjUK /ˌpɜː.spɪˈkeɪ.ʃəs/ · US /ˌpɜːɹ.spɪˈkeɪ.ʃəs/
Etymology First attested 1548, from Late Latin perspicācitās (“discernment”), from Latin perspicax (“sharp-sighted”), from perspiciō (“look through”), from per- (“through”) + speciō (“look at”). See also perspective.
1
Figuratively Of acute discernment; having keen insight; mentally perceptive.
- As a gay prisoner my incarceration has given me a perspicacious view of our judicial system.1982 April 17, David K. Jose, “Habeas Corpus”, in Gay Community News, page 3:
2
Obsolete Able to physically see clearly; quick-sighted; sharp-sighted.
- Derived terms
- perspicaciously, perspicaciousness, unperspicacious
- Related terms
- perspicacity, perspicuity, perspicuous, perspicuously, perspicuousness, clairvoyant, conspicuous, perspective