intellect

Where does the word "intellect" come from? It comes from Latin intellegere, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Intellect’s story begins in Latin: intellegere meant “to discern, to choose between.” To choose between, to discern, from inter- (between) and legere (to choose). It reached English by 1300s as intellect. Settled as the English word for the capacity for rational thought. Today, intellect means the capacity for rational thought, understanding, and reasoning.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient intellegere "to discern, to choose between", to choose between, to discern, from inter- (between) and legere (to choose).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s intellect "the capacity for rational thought and understanding", settled as the English word for the capacity for rational thought.