nous
Philosopher's reasoning power
Nous is British informal for common sense or practical intelligence: She had the nous to keep quiet.
The word comes from Greek philosophy, where nous meant mind or intellect—the faculty of rational thought.
In philosophical contexts, it still carries this elevated sense, but everyday British usage has domesticated it to mean simple good judgment or savvy.
Of Athenian origin
- PlatoGreek philosopher, academy founder
- AristotleGreek founder of formal logic
- cosmicPertaining to the universe
- divineOf or from gods
intellect · reason · soul · metaphysics · logos · demiurge · contemplation · unmoved mover
Mental knowledge acquisition
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- reasonBasis or justification
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- comprehensionMental understanding of meaning
acumen · sagacity · brainpower · cerebral · analytical · discernment · insight · judgment
Suited for real use
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- sensibleShowing good judgment
- levelheadedCalm and judicious
- shrewdPractically clever, perceptive
savvy · streetwise · pragmatic · grounded · judicious · sound · wisdom · horse sense
Greek
Of Athenian origin
- PlatoGreek philosopher, academy founder
- AristotleGreek founder of formal logic
- cosmicPertaining to the universe
divine · intellect · reason · soul · metaphysics · logos · demiurge · contemplation · unmoved mover · Neoplatonism
cognition
Mental knowledge acquisition
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- reasonBasis or justification
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
comprehension · acumen · sagacity · brainpower · cerebral · analytical · discernment · insight · judgment · erudition
practical
Suited for real use
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- sensibleShowing good judgment
- levelheadedCalm and judicious
shrewd · savvy · streetwise · pragmatic · grounded · judicious · sound · wisdom · horse sense · gumption
- French vocabularybonjour, merci, oui, non, au revoir
- spiritghost, specter, phantom, apparition, soul
- Greek wordsalpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon
- judgmentgood judgment, sound judgment, discernment, prudence, judiciousness
- Greek conceptslogos, ethos, pathos, hubris, arete
- Greek philosophyAristotle, Socrates, Plato, Pythagoras, Academy
nousfoolishness
Unwise conduct
stupidity · idiocy · senselessness · brainlessness · imprudence