Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Having quick sight or acute discernment; quick to see or discern.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Having quick sight or acute discernment; quick to see or to discern.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective keenly perceptive or alert
  • adjective having very keen vision

Etymologies

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Examples

  • The least flaw of this kind, if at all different from his own, every one is quick-sighted enough to espy in another, and will by the authority of reason forwardly condemn; though he be guilty of much greater unreasonableness in his own tenets and conduct, which he never perceives, and will very hardly, if at all, be convinced of.

    An Essay Concerning Human Understanding 2007

  • The quick-sighted would conduct the blind, the active would be crutches to the lame.

    A Philosophical Dictionary 2007

  • And I had much rather the speculative and quick-sighted should complain of my being in some parts tedious, than that any one, not accustomed to abstract speculations, or prepossessed with different notions, should mistake or not comprehend my meaning.

    An Essay Concerning Human Understanding 2007

  • It is a hard matter to say where sensible and rational begin, and where insensible and irrational end: and who is there quick-sighted enough to determine precisely which is the lowest species of living things, and which the first of those which have no life?

    An Essay Concerning Human Understanding 2007

  • I may truly say, therefore, that you are happy in having me for a sincere, friendly, and quick-sighted monitor.

    Letters to his son on The Art of Becoming a Man of the World and a Gentleman 2005

  • And I had much rather the speculative and quick-sighted should complain of my being in some parts tedious, than that any one, not accustomed to abstract speculations, or prepossessed with different notions, should mistake or not comprehend my meaning.

    God, Aids & Circumcision Hill, George 2005

  • That as the brother never foresaw anything at a distance, but was most sagacious in immediately seeing everything the moment it had happened; so the sister eternally foresaw at a distance, but was not so quick-sighted to objects before her eyes.

    The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling 2004

  • From whence is it that the knave is generally so quick-sighted to those symptoms and operations of knavery, which often dupe an honest man of a much better understanding?

    The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling 2004

  • I could only be quick-sighted enough I might one day be able to detect the minstrel sitting, in a green tunic perhaps, cross-legged on some high, swaying bough, carelessly touching his mandolin, suspended from his neck by a yellow ribbon.

    Green Mansions 2004

  • The captain no sooner perceived the passion of Miss Bridget, in which discovery he was very quick-sighted, than he faithfully returned it.

    The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling 2004

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