percipient

[ per-sip-ee-uhnt ]

adjective

1. perceiving or capable of perceiving.
2. having perception; discerning; discriminating:

   a percipient choice of wines.

noun

1. a person or thing that perceives.

percipient

/ pəˈsɪpɪənt /

adjective

1. able to perceive
2. perceptive

noun

1. a person or thing that perceives

Derived Forms

• perˈcipiently, adverb
• perˈcipience, noun

Other Words From

• per·cipi·ence per·cipi·en·cy noun
• nonper·cipi·ence noun
• nonper·cipi·en·cy noun
• nonper·cipi·ent adjective
• unper·cipi·ent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of percipient¹

1655–65; < Latin percipient- (stem of percipiēns ) present participle of percipere to take in, equivalent to per- per- + -cipi- combining form of present stem of capere to take + -ent- -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of percipient¹

C17: from Latin percipiens observing, from percipere to grasp; see perceive

Example Sentences

“Based on recent developments, it appears that the drafting of the plea agreement and diversion agreement will be contested and Mr. Clark is a percipient witness to those issues,” he and another lawyer wrote in the filing.

From Washington Times

“Why would you not provide the court with admissible evidence that wouldn’t necessarily give me any information about the names of the officers or even pictures, but somebody to actually have percipient knowledge of what’s on the flash drive?”

From Los Angeles Times

That drew a horselaugh from veteran investor Jim Chanos, whose experience as a short-seller has given him a uniquely percipient feel for Wall Street foibles.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s fun wordplay with a percipient message, but fans might be further impressed to know she wrote and recorded the song extemporaneously in a single take, sitting in a studio chair while eight months pregnant.

From Washington Post

Sunak’s earlier warnings against Truss’s economic policies have proven percipient — and may ease his pathway to victory this time around.

From New York Times

Related Words

• clear-cut
• consistent
• credible
• judicious
• justifiable
• logical
• plausible
• rational
• reasoned
• sane
• sensible
• sober
• thoughtful
• wise