perspicacité

perceptiveness, shrewdness

noun pair-spee-kah-see-TEH Rare

Origin: From Latin perspicacitas, from perspicax (sharp-sighted).

Usage Note

Perspicacité describes the mental quality of seeing through complexity to what is really going on — sharper than mere intelligence. The related adjective is perspicace (perceptive, shrewd). It is always used approvingly; faire preuve de perspicacité means to show keen insight. Not to be confused with perspicuité (clarity of expression).

Examples

"Son enquête révéla une grande perspicacité."

Natural Translation

His investigation revealed great perceptiveness.

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