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DictionaryRoot: -entia
Latin

-entia

a state or quality

Forms

  • -entia
  • -ence — The ending shortened through French.
  • -ency — An English form used in some nouns.

Origin

Formed in Latin from -ent-, describing someone or something doing an action, plus a noun ending.

Note

A temporary activity can become the name of a lasting quality.

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noun

intelligence

in-TEL-ih-juhns/ɪnˈtelɪdʒəns/

The ability to learn, understand, and reason.

Her intelligence helps her solve unfamiliar problems quickly and accurately.

An older woman solves a nonverbal pattern puzzle, selecting the missing tile by recognizing and combining the visible shape and color rules.
Etymology
intelLatinbetween, among
+ligLatingather, choose; read
+enceLatina state or quality

“Picking out between” gives the underlying idea of discernment: recognizing distinctions and understanding them. The noun names this power of understanding, the central connection to learning and applying knowledge.

In context

Real Science11:22
in humans intelligence is commonly defined as the ability to think abstractly understand communicate problem solve learn form memories and plan actions
The Insane Biology of: The Octopus

More examples

  • The puzzle tests intelligence, not knowledge of obscure facts.
  • He shows great intelligence when he explains difficult ideas simply.
  • Intelligence alone does not guarantee good decisions.

Forms

intelligent adjective — Able to learn, understand, and reason.

intelligently adverb — In a way that shows good reasoning.

Similar words

intellect
Intellect emphasizes reasoning and abstract thought rather than learning generally.
understanding
Understanding emphasizes grasping meaning rather than overall mental capacity.