intelligence Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
noun a unit responsible for gathering and interpreting information about an enemy
intelligence service; intelligence agency.
noun secret information about an enemy (or potential enemy)
intelligence information.
- we sent out planes to gather intelligence on their radar coverage
noun information about recent and important events
news; tidings; word.
- they awaited news of the outcome
noun the operation of gathering information about an enemy
intelligence activity; intelligence operation.

F. intelligence, L. intelligentia, intellegentia. See Intelligent.

The act or state of knowing; the exercise of the understanding.
The capacity to know or understand; readiness of comprehension; the intellect, as a gift or an endowment.
And dimmed with darkness their intelligence. Spenser.
Information communicated; news; notice; advice.
Intelligence is given where you are hid. Shak.
Acquaintance; intercourse; familiarity. Obs.
He lived rather in a fair intelligence than any friendship with the favorites. Clarendon.
Knowledge imparted or acquired, whether by study, research, or experience; general information.
I write as he that none intelligence Of meters hath, n flowers of sentence. Court of Love.
An intelligent being or spirit; -- generally applied to pure spirits; as, a created intelligence. Milton.
The great Intelligences fair That range above our mortal state, In circle round the blessed gate, Received and gave him welcome there. Tennyson.
Syn. -- Understanding; intellect; instruction; advice; notice; notification; news; information; report.