intellect
n. C / Un. the ability to think, understand, and learn about complex ideas. It describes the power of your mind rather than your feelings.
n. the faculty of reasoning and understanding objectively, especially with regard to abstract or academic matters. Refers to the capacity for rational thought as distinct from emotion or instinct.
She has a sharp intellect and learns new languages very quickly.
The professor was admired not just for his vast knowledge, but for the sheer power of his intellect.
While the artist's work was visually stunning, critics argued it lacked the depth of intellect required to truly challenge the audience's preconceptions about modern society.
Borrowed from Late Latin intellēctus (“understanding, intellect”), from Latin intellegō (“understand; reason”), from inter (“between, among”) + legō (“read”), with connotation of bind.
Often used with 'the' when referring to the general human capacity for thought; used as a countable noun when describing a person of high mental ability.