insight

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A clear, deep understanding of a person, situation, or subject.

   The book gives a fascinating insight into how the brain works.

2. 2
   noun

   A sudden clear understanding of a difficult problem.

   In a flash of insight, she finally saw how to solve the puzzle.

From Middle English insight, insiht (“insight, mental vision, intelligence, understanding”), equivalent to in- + sight. Perhaps continuing Old English insiht (“narrative, argument, account”), from Proto-Germanic *insahtiz (“account, narrative, argument”). Compare West Frisian ynsjoch (“insight”), Dutch inzicht (“insight, awareness, view, opinion”), German Low German Insicht (“insight”), German Einsicht (“insight, knowledge, perception, understanding”), Danish indsigt (“insight”), Swedish insikt (“insight”), Icelandic innsýn (“insight”).

Topics