- An example of intelligence is someone obtaining their Ph.D.
- An example of intelligence is someone knowing that Dover is the capital of Delaware.
- An example of intelligence is Albert Einstein.
- the ability to learn or understand from experience; ability to acquire and retain knowledge; mental ability
- the ability to respond quickly and effectively to a new situation; use of the faculty of reason in solving problems, directing conduct, etc.
- Psychol. measured success in using these abilities to perform certain tasks
- generally, any degree of keenness of mind, cleverness, shrewdness, etc.
- news or information
- the gathering of secret information, as for military or police purposes
- such information
- the persons or agency employed at gathering it
- an intelligent spirit or being
Origin of intelligenceOld French from Classical Latin intelligentia, perception, discernment from intelligens, present participle of intelligere: see intellect
- The ability to acquire, understand, and use knowledge: a person of extraordinary intelligence.
- a. Information, especially secret information gathered about an actual or potential enemy or adversary.b. The gathering of such information: “Corporate intelligence relies on a slew of tools, some sophisticated, many quite basic” ( Neil King and Jess Bravin )c. An agency or organization whose purpose is to gather such information: an officer from military intelligence.
- An intelligent, incorporeal being, especially an angel.
(countable and uncountable, plural intelligences)
- (uncountable) Capacity of mind, especially to understand principles, truths, facts or meanings, acquire knowledge, and apply it to practice; the ability to learn and comprehend.
- (countable) An entity that has such capacities.
- (uncountable) Information, usually secret, about the enemy or about hostile activities.
- (countable) A political or military department, agency or unit designed to gather information, usually secret, about the enemy or about hostile activities.
From Old French intelligence, from Latin intelligentia.
intelligence - Computer Definition
According to Jeffery T. Richelson in his tome The U.S. Intelligence Community, “intelligence” is the product of an information search and analysis about some foreign nation or about that nation’s operation areas of particular interest. In the United States, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) collects overseas intelligence, whereas the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) collects domestic intelligence. Today, the collection of intelligence includes employing hacking skills to access information stored in computer systems around the world. Legally, the CIA cannot collect intelligence against a U.S. citizen unless the investigation began overseas. For these kinds of cases, the CIA communicates with and shares intelligence with the FBI.
See Also: U.S. Intelligence Community.
Milnet.com. MILNET: Intelligence Defined. [Online, November 4, 1997.] Milnet.com Website. http://www.milnet.com/definei.htm.
(2) Information derived for some purpose. See DOD intelligence glossary.
(3) From the human perspective, the effectiveness with which a person can analyze a situation or solve a problem.