cleverness

  • 131shrewd — adjective Etymology: Middle English shrewed, from shrewe + 1 ed Date: 13th century 1. archaic mischievous 2. obsolete abusive, shrewish 3. obsolete ominous, dangerous …

    New Collegiate Dictionary

  • 132smart aleck — also smart alec noun Etymology: Aleck, nickname for Alexander Date: 1865 an obnoxiously conceited and self assertive person with pretensions to smartness or cleverness • smart aleck adjective • smart alecky adjective …

    New Collegiate Dictionary