genius, talent

genius, talent
These words have had varied meanings over the centuries, but in current use genius is a much stronger word than talent to refer to ability and aptitude. Genius means "exceptional natural capacity," "high intellect," "strong creative or inventive power": Shakespeare was an unquestioned genius. Talent is more correctly applied to ability or aptitude in a particular field: "a talent for making friends," "a talent for playing the piano." A genius may have many talents, but a talented person is not necessarily a genius.

Dictionary of problem words and expressions. . 1975.

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  • Genius — Gen ius, n.; pl. E. {Geniuses}; in sense 1, L. {Genii}. [L. genius, prop., the superior or divine nature which is innate in everything, the spirit, the tutelar deity or genius of a person or place, taste, talent, genius, from genere, gignere, to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Genius loci — Genius Gen ius, n.; pl. E. {Geniuses}; in sense 1, L. {Genii}. [L. genius, prop., the superior or divine nature which is innate in everything, the spirit, the tutelar deity or genius of a person or place, taste, talent, genius, from genere,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • genius — talent, *gift, faculty, aptitude, knack, bent, turn Analogous words: *ability, capacity, capability: originality (see corresponding adjective at NEW): inspiration, afflatus …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • talent — See genius. See genius, talent …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • genius — See genius, talent …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • talent — [tal′ənt] n. [ME < OE talente < L talentum, a coin, orig., unit of weight < Gr talanton, a unit of money, weight, orig., a balance < IE base * tel , to lift up, weigh, bear > TOLERATE: senses 2 4 from the parable of the talents… …   English World dictionary

  • genius — late 14c., tutelary god (classical or pagan), from L. genius guardian deity or spirit which watches over each person from birth; spirit, incarnation, wit, talent; also prophetic skill, originally generative power, from root of gignere beget,… …   Etymology dictionary

  • Talent — Tal ent, n. [F., fr. L. talentum a talent (in sense 1), Gr. ? a balance, anything weighed, a definite weight, a talent; akin to ? to bear, endure, ?, L. tolerare, tollere, to lift up, sustain, endure. See {Thole}, v. t., {Tolerate}.] 1. Among the …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • genius — [jēn′yəs; ] also, esp. for 1 2, [jē′nē əs] n. pl. for 3 6, geniuses; for 1 & 2, genii [jē′nē ī΄] [L, guardian spirit, natural ability, genius < base of genere, gignere, to produce: see GENUS] 1. a) [often G ] according to ancient Roman belief …   English World dictionary

  • genius — I noun aptitude, brilliant intellect, cognition, creative power, endowment, expert, gift, ingenuity, insight, inspiration, intellect, intelligence, mastermind, natural gift, perception, percipience, prodigy, propensity, sagacity, science, sense,… …   Law dictionary

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