genius Copy link Outline I. Mental power1. ingĕnium (including all natural endowments)8. (N.B.--Ingenium must not be used alone, to denote what we mean by genius.)2. indŏles, is (= preced., but oftener used of disposition and moral qualities)3. gĕnius (v. rare)II. A natural gift or adaptedness of mind1. făcultas2. (in certain phr. by meton.)III. A man of great natural power1. vir ingĕniōsus (highly endowed)2. (by meton., like our "wit," but only so in pl.) ingĕniumIV. A tutelary being • genius: I. Mental power: 1. ingĕnium (including all natural endowments): a liberal vein of (poetic) g., ingenî benigna vena, Hor. Od. 1, 18, 10: men of most eminent g., praestantissimis i. homines, Cic. Fin. 2, 16, 51: writers of great g., scriptorum magna i., Sall. Cat. 8. (N.B.--Ingenium must not be used alone, to denote what we mean by genius.) 2. indŏles, is (= preced., but oftener used of disposition and moral qualities): a profound g., alta i., Liv. 21, 2, med.: v. disposition. Cic. has, [summa] ingenii indoles. Ph. 11, 13, 33. 3. gĕnius (v. rare): cf. Juv. 6, 562. II. A natural gift or adaptedness of mind: 1. făcultas: v. faculty. 2. (in certain phr. by meton.): Minerva (as the tutelary goddess of men of genius): contrary to one's natural g., invita, ut aiunt, Minerva [id est adversante et repugnante natura], Cic. Off. 1, 31, 110: Hor.: of rude g., crassa M., Hor. S. 2, 2, 3. III. A man of great natural power: 1. vir ingĕniōsus (highly endowed): cf. Cic. Tusc. 1, 33, 80. 2. (by meton., like our "wit," but only so in pl.) ingĕnium: eminent geniuses (writers), praeclara i., Sall. Cat. 8: cf. supr. (I. 1). (Or expr. by circuml. with ingenium, etc.: as, vir praeclaro ingenio, summo ingenio praeditus; altâ vir indole, etc.: v. supr. I.). IV. A tutelary being: gĕnius (supposed to attend each man): Hor.: Liv.: cf. Dict. Biog. and Myth. II, 241.