savant
UK /ˈsæv.ənt/ · US /sæˈvɑnt/ noun, proper noun
Forms savants
- noun A person of learning, especially one who is versed in literature or science.
- noun A person who is considered eminent because of their achievements.
- noun A person with or without significant mental disabilities who is very gifted in one area of activity, such as playing the piano or mental arithmetic.
- proper noun A surname.
Synonyms
Etymology
Borrowed from French savant, from Latin sapiō. Doublet of sapient. Sense 3 is a clipping of idiot savant, literally ‘wise idiot’.
Webster’s 1913
- noun A man of learning; one versed in literature or science; a person eminent for acquirements.
Etymology [F., fr. savoir to know, L. sapere. See Sage, a.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “savant”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details