Intelligently

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a fashion that reveals astute understanding and knowledge
2. By employing reasoning skills and thoughtful analysis in actions
3. In a manner showing sharp insight and perceptive judgment

Etymology: "Intelligently" is an adverb built from the adjective "intelligent" plus the English suffix "-ly," which is itself a descendant of an Old English word meaning "body" or "form" (in the sense of "like"). The suffix attached to adjectives to mean "in the manner of," so "intelligently" means "in an intelligent manner," which is how the word came to describe acting with sharp insight. The adjective behind it has a more striking pedigree. It goes back to Latin "intelligere," meaning "to understand" or "to perceive," a verb formed from "inter" ("between") and "legere" ("to choose, pick out, read"). The image is of picking out one thing from among others, discerning what lies between. Latin "intelligens" gave Middle French "intelligent," which English borrowed as "intelligent," so the adverb inherits that root of discernment rather than any notion of mere knowledge.

Synonyms: wisely, cleverly

Antonyms: ignorantly