genius: Meaning and Definition of

gen•ius

Pronunciation: ( jēn'yus), [key]
— pl. gen•ius•es gen•i•i
  1. an exceptional natural capacity of intellect, especially as shown in creative and original work in science, art, music, etc.: the genius of Mozart.
  2. a person having such capacity.
  3. a person having an extraordinarily high intelligence rating on a psychological test, as an IQ above 140.
  4. natural ability or capacity; strong inclination: a special genius for leadership.
  5. distinctive character or spirit, as of a nation, period, or language.
  6. the guardian spirit of a place, institution, etc.
  7. either of two mutually opposed spirits, one good and the other evil, supposed to attend a person throughout life.
  8. a person who strongly influences for good or ill the character, conduct, or destiny of a person, place, or thing: Rasputin, the evil genius of Russian politics.
  9. genie (defs. 1, 3).
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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