intelligentsia
|in/tel/li/gent/sia|
C1
/ɪnˌtɛlɪˈdʒɛntsiə/
intellectual class
Etymology
Etymology Information
'intelligentsia' originates from Russian, specifically the word 'интеллигенция', where 'интеллигенция' meant 'intellectual class'.
Historical Evolution
'интеллигенция' was adopted into English in the early 20th century, maintaining its original meaning.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'intellectual class', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a social class of people engaged in complex mental labor aimed at disseminating culture, such as academics, writers, and artists.
The intelligentsia played a crucial role in the cultural revolution.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45