In*tel"li*gence (?), n. [F.
intelligence, L. intelligentia, intellegentia.
See Intelligent.]
1. The act or state of knowing; the exercise
of the understanding.
2. The capacity to know or understand;
readiness of comprehension; the intellect, as a gift or an
endowment.
And dimmed with darkness their
intelligence.
Spenser.
3. Information communicated; news; notice;
advice.
Intelligence is given where you are
hid.
Shak.
4. Acquaintance; intercourse;
familiarity. [Obs.]
He lived rather in a fair intelligence than any
friendship with the favorites.
Clarendon.
5. Knowledge imparted or acquired, whether by
study, research, or experience; general information.
I write as he that none intelligence
Of meters hath, ne flowers of sentence.
Court of
Love.
6. An intelligent being or spirit; --
generally applied to pure spirits; as, a created
intelligence. Milton.
The great Intelligences fair
That range above our mortal state,
In circle round the blessed gate,
Received and gave him welcome there.
Tennyson.
Intelligence office, an office where
information may be obtained, particularly respecting servants to be
hired.
Syn. -- Understanding; intellect; instruction; advice;
notice; notification; news; information; report.
