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   Gen·ius

   /ˈjēnyəs/

   

   noun

   • 1. exceptional intellectual or creative power or other natural ability: "she was a teacher of genius" Similar brilliancegreat intelligencegreat intellectgreat abilityclevernessbrainseruditionwisdomsagacityfine mindwitartistryflaircreative powerprecocityprecociousnesstalentgiftflairaptitudefacilityknacktechniquetouchbentabilityexpertisecapacitypowerfacultyendowmentstrengthstrong pointfortebrilliancedexterityadroitnessskillclevernessvirtuosityartistryOpposite stupidity
   • 2. a person who is exceptionally intelligent or creative, either generally or in some particular respect: "one of the great musical geniuses of the 20th century" Similar brilliant personmental giantmastermindEinsteinintellectualintellectbrainhighbrowexpertmasterartistpolymathprodigygifted childidiot savantinformal:eggheadbrainsbright sparkwhizwizardninjaalpha geekwalking encyclopediabrainboxclever clogsboffinbrainiacrocket scientistmavenOpposite dunce
   • 3. a person regarded as exerting a powerful influence over another for good or evil: "he sees Adams as the man's evil genius"
   • ▪ (in some mythologies) a guardian spirit associated with a person, place, or institution.
   • 4. the prevalent character or spirit of something such as a nation or age: "Boucher's paintings did not suit the austere genius of neoclassicism"

   adjective

   • 1. very clever or ingenious: informal "this book was absolutely genius in parts"

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Latin, ‘attendant spirit present from one's birth, innate ability or inclination’, from the root of gignere ‘beget’. The original sense ‘spirit attendant on a person’ gave rise to a sense ‘a person's characteristic disposition’ (late 16th century), which led to a sense ‘a person's natural ability’, and finally ‘exceptional natural ability’ (mid 17th century).

   Scrabble Points: 7

   • G

     2

   • E

     1

   • N

     1

   • I

     1

   • U

     1

   • S

     1

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