GENII
GENIUS
brilliance, genius
(noun) unusual mental ability
flair, genius
(noun) a natural talent; “he has a flair for mathematics”; “he has a genius for interior decorating”
genius, wizardry
(noun) exceptional creative ability
ace, adept, champion, sensation, maven, mavin, virtuoso, genius, hotshot, star, superstar, whiz, whizz, wizard, wiz
(noun) someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
genius, mastermind, brain, brainiac, Einstein
(noun) someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality; “Mozart was a child genius”; “he’s smart but he’s no Einstein”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology 1
Noun
genii
(Roman mythology) plural of genius; guardian spirits
Etymology 2
Noun
genii
plural of genie
Source: Wiktionary
GENIUS
Gen"ius, n.; pl. E. Geniuses; in sense 1, L. Genii. Etym: [L. genius,
prop., the superior or divine nature which is innate in everything,
the spirit, the tutelar deity or genius of a person or place, taste,
talent, genius, from genere, gignere, to beget, bring forth. See
Gender, and cf. Engine.]
1. A good or evil spirit, or demon, supposed by the ancients to
preside over a man's destiny in life; a tutelary deity; a
supernatural being; a spirit, good or bad. Cf. Jinnee.
The unseen genius of the wood. Milton.
We talk of genius still, but with thought how changed! The genius of
Augustus was a tutelary demon, to be sworn by and to receive
offerings on an altar as a deity. Tylor.
2. The peculiar structure of mind with whoch each individual is
endowed by nature; that disposition or aptitude of mind which is
peculiar to each man, and which qualifies him for certain kinds of
action or special success in any pursuit; special taste, inclination,
or disposition; as, a genius for history, for poetry, or painting.
3. Peculiar character; animating spirit, as of a nation, a religion,
a language.
4. Distinguished mental superiority; uncommon intellectual power;
especially, superior power of invention or origination of any kind,
or of forming new combinations; as, a man of genius.
Genius of the highest kind implies an unusual intensity of the
modifyng power. Coleridge.
5. A man endowed with uncommon vigor of mind; a man of superior
intellectual faculties; as, Shakespeare was a rare genius.
Syn.
– Genius, Talent. Genius implies high and peculiar gifts of nature,
impelling the mind to certain favorite kinds of mental effort, and
producing new combinations of ideas, imagery, etc. Talent supposes
general strength of intellect, with a peculiar aptitude for being
molded and directed to specific employments and valuable ends and
purposes. Genius is connected more or less with the exercise of
imagination, and reaches its ends by a kind of intuitive power.
Talent depends more on high mental training, and a perfect command of
all the faculties, memory, judgment, sagacity, etc. Hence we speak of
a genius for poetry, painting. etc., and a talent for business or
diplomacy. Among English orators, Lord Chatham was distinguished for
his genius; William Pitt for his preëminent talents, and especially
his unrivaled talent for debate.
Genius loci ( Etym: [L.], the genius or presiding divinity of a
place; hence, the pervading spirit of a place or institution, as of a
college, etc.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition