Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun, plural gen·ius·es for 2, 3, 8, gen·i·i [jee-nee-ahy] /ˈdʒi niˌaɪ/ for 6, 7, 9, 10.
- an exceptional natural capacity of intellect, especially as shown in creative and original work in science, art, music, etc.: the genius of Mozart.
- a person having such capacity.
- a person having an extraordinarily high intelligence rating on a psychological test, as an IQ above 140.
- natural ability or capacity; strong inclination: a special genius for leadership.
- distinctive character or spirit, as of a nation, period, or language.
- the guardian spirit of a place, institution, etc.
- either of two mutually opposed spirits, one good and the other evil, supposed to attend a person throughout life.
- 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.
- Islamic Mythology. jinn; genie.
- genie(def 3).
noun plural -uses or for senses 5, 6 genii (ˈdʒiːnɪˌaɪ)
- a person with exceptional ability, esp of a highly original kind
- such ability or capacityMozart’s musical genius
- the distinctive spirit or creative nature of a nation, era, language, etc
- a person considered as exerting great influence of a certain sortan evil genius
- Roman myth
- the guiding spirit who attends a person from birth to death
- the guardian spirit of a place, group of people, or institution
- Arabian myth (usually plural) a demon; jinn
late 14c., “tutelary god (classical or pagan),” from Latin genius “guardian deity or spirit which watches over each person from birth; spirit, incarnation, wit, talent;” also “prophetic skill,” originally “generative power,” from root of gignere “beget, produce” (see kin), from PIE root *gen- “produce.” Sense of “characteristic disposition” is from 1580s. Meaning “person of natural intelligence or talent” and that of “natural ability” are first recorded 1640s.