The ability to think, reason, and understand, especially at a high level. It can also refer to a person who is very intelligent.
From Latin 'intellectus' meaning 'understanding, discernment', from 'intelligere' (to understand), from 'inter-' (between) + 'legere' (to choose, read). It originally suggested the power to ‘read between’ and choose wisely.
Intellect isn’t just raw brainpower; it’s the skill of seeing patterns and making fine distinctions. The root idea of ‘reading between’ reminds you that smart thinking often happens in the spaces others skip over.
Across many languages, 'intellect' and related terms have historically been coded as masculine, with intellectual pursuits framed as the domain of men. Women and gender minorities were often excluded from formal education and described as lacking 'intellect' rather than being denied access.
Use 'intellect' without gendered assumptions about who is or is not intellectual, and be cautious about repeating historical narratives that center male thinkers as default.
When discussing intellect in history, highlight women and gender-diverse scholars, writers, and scientists whose intellectual work was marginalized, anonymized, or attributed to male colleagues.
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