sagacity

/səˈgæsədi/

Other forms: sagacities

If you are wise and prone to evaluating information before making a decision, you possess sagacity, the trait of solid judgment and intelligent choices. And if that is indeed the case, then good for you! We need more sound thinkers.

The Latin word sagācitās is the great-granddaddy of our word sagacity, giving it the meaning "wisdom." Just remember that it contains the word sage, which means "wise one" — our wise ancestors were called "Sages." But before we get too puffed up, we need to remember that in the 17th and 18th centuries, sagacity meant "the acute sense of smell in animals." How humbling. Still, if you display sagacity, you can sniff out a good idea from a bad one.

Definitions of sagacity

1. noun

   the mental ability to understand and discriminate between relations
   synonyms: discernment, judgement, judgment, sagaciousness

   types:

   eye

   good discernment (either visually or as if visually)

   common sense, good sense, gumption, horse sense, mother wit, sense

   sound practical judgment

   judiciousness

   good judgment

   circumspection, discreetness, discretion, prudence

   knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress

   indiscreetness, injudiciousness

   lacking good judgment

   logic

   reasoned and reasonable judgment

   nous

   common sense

   road sense

   good judgment in avoiding trouble or accidents on the road

   confidentiality

   discretion in keeping secret information

   care, caution, forethought, precaution

   judiciousness in avoiding harm or danger

   type of:

   sapience, wisdom

   ability to apply knowledge or experience or understanding or common sense and insight
2. noun

   the trait of forming opinions by distinguishing and evaluating
   synonyms: judiciousness, sagaciousness

   type of:

   wisdom, wiseness

   the trait of utilizing knowledge and experience with common sense and insight