Intelligence \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)