Brainbox

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈbɹeɪn(ˌ)bɒks/

Definitions

1. A person distinguished by exceptional intelligence and mental agility is often informally labeled as remarkably insightful and quick to grasp complex ideas
2. Someone recognized for their advanced cognitive skills and brilliant reasoning may be colloquially termed as notably clever and highly perceptive in thought
3. An individual characterized by extraordinary mental prowess and quick understanding is sometimes informally referred to as exceptionally bright and insightful in their thinking process

Etymology: "Brainbox" is a plain compound of "brain" and "box", and the image behind it is older than the word itself. The "box" in question is the skull, the bony case that holds the brain, a sense of "box" that goes back centuries before anyone applied it to a person's head. Calling someone a "brainbox" turns that container into a compliment about what it holds: a very clever person is treated as a whole cranium full of intellect. The word works the same way as the older "egghead" or "bighead," both of which also picture the head as a vessel for thinking. Its informal, slightly affectionate tone comes from the same playful bluntness, since the word talks about a person's skull as though it were a piece of equipment.

Synonyms: genius, intellect, whiz, smartypants, thinker

Antonyms: dunce, fool, simpleton, ignoramus, dimwit