genius

[Lat. = a tutelar spirit of a person, inclination, wit, talent; Sp. & Ital. genio; Fr. génie.] 1. A tutelary deity, whose province it was to take care of every one from the time of his birth; the ruling or protecting power of men, places, or things. "The genius and the mortal instruments Are then in council." Shakesp.: Julius Cæsar, ii. 1. 2. The natural bent, disposition, or inclination of the mind; a particular natural talent or aptitude of mind fitting a man in an especial degree for some particular study, pursuit, or course of life; a peculiar natural structure of mind qualifying the po e or for a particular employment. 3. That natural power or faculty or combination of faculties of the mind winen bears or brings forth, produces, discovers, or invents; intellectual endowment of the highest kind; superior power of inven tion or origination of any kind, or of producing original combinations; talent. 1991 4. A person endowed with uncommon intellectual powers; a man of superior intellectual faculties. "That age had produced no more inventive genius and no more daring spirit."- Macaulay : Hist. Eng ., ch. vii. 5. The distinguishing disposition, bent, character, or tendency; as of a nation, a religion, a language, and the like. (1) Crabb thus discriminates between genius , ability, talent, capacity , cleverne , and wisdom : " Genius implies high and peculiar gifts of nature, impelling the mind to certain favorite kinds of mental effort, and producing new combinations of ideas, imagery, . Talent supposes general strength of intellect, with a peculiar aptitude for being molded and directed to specific employments, and valuable ends and purposes. Genius is connected more or le with the exercise of imagination, and reaches its ends by a kind of intuitive power. Talent depends more on high mental training, perfect command of all the faculties, memory, judgment, sagacity, . Hence we speak of a genius for poetry, painting, ., and a talent for busine or diplomacy. Among English orators Lord Chas am was distinguished for his genius ; William Pitt for his preeminent talents , and especially his unrivaled talent for reply. Genius is the power of new combinations, wisdom the habitual employment of a patient and comprehensive understanding in combining various and remote means to promote the happine of mankind. Abilities may be exerted in conduct, or in the arts and sciences, but rather in the former. Talents are the power of executing well a conception either original or adopted. Ca pacity is a power of acquiring. Cleverne designates mental dexterity and quickne ." (Crabb: Eng . Synon .) (2) For the difference between genius and intel lect, see INTELLECT; for that between genius and taste, see TASTE. *genius-chamber, *genyus-chalmer, s . The bridal chamber.