perspicacious, a.
(pɜːspɪˈkeɪʃəs)
[f. L. perspicāx, -cācem, having the power of seeing through, sharp-sighted, f. perspicĕre: see perspection and -acious. Cf. F. perspicace (1546 in Hatz.-Darm.).]
1. Of clear or penetrating sight; clear-sighted. (Often passing into 2.) arch.
| 1616–61 B. Holyday Persius (1673) 327 And can'st thou with a perspicacious sight Discern the shew of truth from truth? 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 102 ¶4 An expanse of waters..covered with so thick a mist, that the most perspicacious eye could see but a little way. 1879 Miss M. A. Sprague Earnest Trifler xi. (1880) 117 Like the brilliant perspicacious stare of the critical world. |
2. Of persons, their faculties, etc.: Of clear or penetrating mental vision or discernment.
| 1640 Howell Dodona's Gr. (1645) 52 He was rarely quick and perspicacious. 1721 Strype Eccl. Mem. III. App. xx. 59 [These] testify the man to be of a most perspicacious wit. 1873 H. Rogers Orig. Bible iii. 121 He was far too perspicacious to be imposed upon by any such false analogy. |
¶ 3. erron. Clear, translucent, perspicuous. rare.
| a 1820 Shelley Pr. Wks. (1888) I. 415 The genuine doctrine of ‘political Justice’, presented in one perspicacious and impressive river. |
Hence perspiˈcaciously adv., with clear vision, clearly; perspiˈcaciousness.
| 1727 in Bailey vol. II, Perspicaciousness. 1750 Johnson Rambler No. 43 ¶13 He that..too perspicaciously foresees obstacles. 1779–81 ― L.P., Denham Wks. II. 78 The particulars of resemblance are so perspicaciously collected. |