Intelligence, cleverness, or mental acuity; the ability to learn quickly and think effectively.
From 'smart' (Old English smeortan 'to cause sharp pain'), originally meaning causing a sharp, stinging sensation. The intelligence sense developed in the 17th century from the idea of mental sharpness or keenness.
The evolution from 'smart' meaning 'painful' to meaning 'intelligent' reflects how we associate mental sharpness with physical sensations. We still say a criticism 'stings' or someone has a 'sharp' mind - showing this ancient connection between physical and mental acuity!
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