WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
per•spi•cac•i•ty
(pûr′spi kas′i tē),USA pronunciation n.
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026- keenness of mental perception and understanding;
discernment;
penetration. - [Archaic.]keen vision.
- Late Latin perspicācitās sharpness of sight, equivalent. to perspicāci- (stem of perspicāx sharp-sighted; see perspicuous) + -tās -ty2
- earlier perspicacite 1540–50
- 1. shrewdness, acuity, astuteness, insight, acumen. See perspicuity.
- 1. obtuseness.
per•spi•ca•cious /ˌpɜrspɪˈkeɪʃəs/USA pronunciation
adj.
per•spi•cac•i•ty /ˌpɜrspɪˈkæsɪti/USA pronunciation per•spi•ca•cious•ness, n. [uncountable]See -spec-.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- having sharp ability to understand something; discerning.
per•spi•cac•i•ty /ˌpɜrspɪˈkæsɪti/USA pronunciation per•spi•ca•cious•ness, n. [uncountable]See -spec-.
per•spi•ca•cious
(pûr′spi kā′shəs),USA pronunciation adj.
per′spi•ca′cious•ly, adv.
per′spi•ca′cious•ness, n.
- having keen mental perception and understanding;
discerning:to exhibit perspicacious judgment. - [Archaic.]having keen vision.
- perspicaci(ty) + -ous 1610–20
per′spi•ca′cious•ness, n.
- 1. perceptive, acute, shrewd, penetrating.
- 1. dull, stupid.
'perspicacity' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):