Word of the Day

Sunday January 10, 2010

sapient [SAY-pee-uhnt]

adjective

In Copenhagen, earthshaking deals by sapient and noble negotiators were made on behalf of the less fortunate of the globe, which included all those lacking the time and money to experience the climate-summit opulence.

Anthony J. Sadar, "The Copenhagen cabal; Enviro medicine show goes back on the road", Washington Times, Dec 20, 2009
Two releases out this month bring on the bawdiness to delightful effect, pairing sapient wit with smutty wisecracks that will have you sniggering like you did back when writing certain four-letter words in the dust of a car window was the height of comedic pursuit.

Tiffany Lee-Youngren, "Take my book, please! Chin will have you laughing", The San Diego Union - Tribune, Sep 13, 2009
"The little fool's alarmed, I do believe!" said he; "He's only a cow-boy, I dare say!" And with this sapient, but unsatisfactory conclusion, he opened his book, and read aloud, to keep up his courage.The bull hearing his voice, looked up with a most melancholy leer, the corners of his mouth drawn down with an expression of pathetic gravity.

Robert Seymour (1798 - 1836) Illustrator of work by Charles Dickens. Sketches by Seymour Part 4 - Watty Williams and Bull

Origin of the Word

Sapient, approximately 1468, derives from Old French sapient, from Latin sapiens, present participle of sapere "to taste, have taste, be wise."