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genius

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genius

 

  2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Genius  \Gen"ius\,  n.;  pl  E.  {Geniuses};  in  sense  1,  L.  {Genii}. 
  [L.  genius,  prop.,  the  superior  or  divine  nature  which  is 
  innate  in  everything,  the  spirit,  the  tutelar  deity  or  genius 
  of  a  person  or  place  taste,  talent,  genius,  from  genere, 
  gignere  to  beget,  bring  forth.  See  {Gender},  and  cf 
  {Engine}.] 
  1.  A  good  or  evil  spirit,  or  demon,  supposed  by  the  ancients 
  to  preside  over  a  man's  destiny  in  life;  a  tutelary  deity; 
  a  supernatural  being  a  spirit,  good  or  bad  Cf  {Jinnee}. 
 
  The  unseen  genius  of  the  wood.  --Milton. 
 
  We  talk  of  genius  still  but  with  thought  how 
  changed!  The  genius  of  Augustus  was  a  tutelary 
  demon,  to  be  sworn  by  and  to  receive  offerings  on  an 
  altar  as  a  deity.  --Tylor. 
 
  2.  The  peculiar  structure  of  mind  with  whoch  each  individual 
  is  endowed  by  nature;  that  disposition  or  aptitude  of  mind 
  which  is  peculiar  to  each  man,  and  which  qualifies  him  for 
  certain  kinds  of  action  or  special  success  in  any  pursuit; 
  special  taste,  inclination,  or  disposition;  as  a  genius 
  for  history,  for  poetry,  or  painting. 
 
  3.  Peculiar  character;  animating  spirit,  as  of  a  nation,  a 
  religion,  a  language. 
 
  4.  Distinguished  mental  superiority;  uncommon  intellectual 
  power;  especially,  superior  power  of  invention  or 
  origination  of  any  kind  or  of  forming  new  combinations; 
  as  a  man  of  genius. 
 
  Genius  of  the  highest  kind  implies  an  unusual 
  intensity  of  the  modifyng  power.  --Coleridge. 
 
  5.  A  man  endowed  with  uncommon  vigor  of  mind;  a  man  of 
  superior  intellectual  faculties;  as  Shakespeare  was  a 
  rare  genius. 
 
  Syn:  {Genius},  {Talent}. 
 
  Usage:  Genius  implies  high  and  peculiar  gifts  of  nature, 
  impelling  the  mind  to  certain  favorite  kinds  of  mental 
  effort,  and  producing  new  combinations  of  ideas, 
  imagery,  etc  Talent  supposes  general  strength  of 
  intellect,  with  a  peculiar  aptitude  for  being  molded 
  and  directed  to  specific  employments  and  valuable  ends 
  and  purposes.  Genius  is  connected  more  or  less  with 
  the  exercise  of  imagination,  and  reaches  its  ends  by  a 
  kind  of  intuitive  power.  Talent  depends  more  on  high 
  mental  training,  and  a  perfect  command  of  all  the 
  faculties,  memory,  judgment,  sagacity,  etc  Hence  we 
  speak  of  a  genius  for  poetry,  painting.  etc.,  and  a 
  talent  for  business  or  diplomacy.  Among  English 
  orators,  Lord  Chatham  was  distinguished  for  his 
  genius;  William  Pitt  for  his  pre["e]minent  talents, 
  and  especially  his  unrivaled  talent  for  debate. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  genius 
  n  1:  someone  who  has  exceptional  intellectual  ability  and 
  originality  [syn:  {mastermind},  {brain}] 
  2:  unusual  mental  ability  [syn:  {brilliance}] 
  3:  someone  who  is  very  highly  skilled  [syn:  {ace},  {adept},  {sensation}, 
  {maven},  {virtuoso},  {hotshot},  {star},  {whiz},  {whizz}, 
  {wizard},  {wiz}] 
  4:  exceptional  creative  ability  [syn:  {wizardry}] 
  5:  a  natural  talent;  "he  has  a  flair  for  mathematics";  "he  has 
  a  genius  for  interior  decorating"  [syn:  {flair}]




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