Definition of intelligence

The word "intelligence" has its roots in the 14th-century Old French word "intelligence," derived from the Latin "intelligentia," meaning "understanding" or "wisdom." The Latin word is a combination of "inter," meaning "between," and "legere," meaning "to choose" or "to read." This Latin word was used to describe the act of choosing or reading between different meanings or interpretations. The concept of intelligence as we understand it today, as the ability to think, learn, and solve problems, emerged in the 16th century with the work of philosophers such as René Descartes and Francis Bacon. The modern English word "intelligence" has been used since the 17th century to refer to the collection and analysis of information, often in a military or strategic context. Over time, the concept of intelligence has expanded to include various forms of human thought and behavior, such as emotional intelligence, social intelligence, and artificial intelligence.