Intelligence

01 n. The act or state of knowing; the exercise of the understanding.

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.(Mil.)
“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.
“The great Intelligences fair That range above our mortal state, In circle round the blessed gate, Received and gave him welcome there.” — Tennyson.
7.
The division within a military organization that gathers and evaluates information about an enemy.(Mil.)

Phrases & compounds

Intelligence office — an office where information may be obtained, particularly respecting servants to be hired.