WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : In*tel"li*gence
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [F. intelligence, L. intelligentia, intellegentia. See Intelligent.]
Definition : 1. The act or state of knowing; the exercise of the understanding.

2. The capacity to know or understand; readiness of comprehension; the intellect, as a gift or an endowment. And dimmed with darkness their intelligence. Spenser.

3. Information communicated; news; notice; advice. Intelligence is given where you are hid. Shak.

4. Acquaintance; intercourse; familiarity. [Obs.] He lived rather in a fair intelligence than any friendship with the favorites. Clarendon.

5. Knowledge imparted or acquired, whether by study, research, or experience; general information. I write as he that none intelligence Of meters hath, nCourt of Love.

6. An intelligent being or spirit; -- generally applied to pure spirits; as, a created intelligence. Milton. The great Intelligences fair That range above our mortal state, In circle round the blessed gate, Received and gave him welcome there. Tennyson. Intelligence office, an office where information may be obtained, particularly respecting servants to be hired.

Syn. -- Understanding; intellect; instruction; advice; notice; notification; news; information; report.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913