sagacity

Definitions

  • WordNet 3.6
    • n sagacity the trait of forming opinions by distinguishing and evaluating
    • n sagacity the mental ability to understand and discriminate between relations
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
    • n Sagacity The quality of being sagacious; quickness or acuteness of sense perceptions; keenness of discernment or penetration with soundness of judgment; shrewdness. "Some [brutes] show that nice sagacity of smell.""Natural sagacity improved by generous education."
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Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
    • n sagacity The state or character of being sagacious, in any sense; sagaciousness.
    • n sagacity Synonyms Perspicacity, etc. (see judgment), insight, motherwit. See astute and discernment.
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Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
    • ns Sagacity acuteness of perception or thought: acute practical judgment: shrewdness
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Quotations

  • Marianne Moore
    Marianne Moore
    “Egotism is usually subversive of sagacity.”
  • Friedrich Nietzsche
    Friedrich%20Nietzsche
    “War has always been the grand sagacity of every spirit which has grown too inward and too profound; its curative power lies even in the wounds one receives.”

Etymology

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
L. sagacitas,. See Sagacious
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
L. sagax, sagacis—sagīre, to perceive quickly.

Usage

In literature:

Also he was unexpectedly made aware of Plank's serenely unerring business sagacity.
"The Fighting Chance" by Robert W. Chambers
It is by his superior sagacity and wisdom.
"What Will He Do With It, Complete" by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
There was in this youth a noiseless sagacity that seemed ever provident for Harold.
"Harold, Complete The Last Of The Saxon Kings" by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
His remarkable presence of mind, and the strength and sagacity of his horse, befriended him.
"Falkland, Complete" by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
But with that far-seeing sagacity of his he made no talk of what he had done or what he had in mind.
"Jack North's Treasure Hunt" by Roy Rockwood
The old bald fools turned him loose, as if a wise man's horse could have infected with wit or sagacity a whole convent of asses.
"Quentin Durward" by Sir Walter Scott
No question was too hard for her to answer, and the king was constantly being surprised at her sagacity.
"Filipino Popular Tales" by Dean S. Fansler
Wolfe knew what was meant; with the sagacity of a long-trained hunter, he made a desperate effort to gain the advantage by a circuitous route.
"Canadian Crusoes" by Catherine Parr Traill
I thought she wanted a pair of stilts, but I had the deep sagacity not to say so.
"Roughing It, Part 1." by Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
It was good sagacity.
"Roughing It, Part 8." by Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
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In poetry:

WEDGEWOOD.
And not without reason, madam. Never before have I heard of such a compound of
sagacity, courage, and eccentricity. Oh, I am all in a glow to see and converse
with the jolly old boy!
"The Maid Of Saxony; Or, Who's The Traitor? - Act I" by George Pope Morris

In news:

Must sagacity and prudence wear like a pair of orthopedic shoes with gel insoles and corrective heels.
blog.mlive.com
I quickly told her my sagacity did not extend to wildflowers or, honestly, much of anything else.
observertoday.com
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