savant

== English == === Etymology === Borrowed from French savant, from Latin sapiō. Doublet of sapient. Sense 3 is a clipping of idiot savant, literally ‘wise idiot’. === Pronunciation === (General American) IPA(key): /sæˈvɑnt/, /səˈvɑnt/ (most common), /səˈvɑn/ (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈsæv.ənt/, /ˈsæv.ɒnt/, /səˈvɑːnt/, /səˈvɒnt/ (most common), /səˈvɒn/ Rhymes: (General American) -ɑnt === Noun === savant (plural savants) A person of learning, especially one who is versed in literature or science. A person who is considered eminent because of their achievements. A person with or without significant mental disabilities who is very gifted in one area of activity, such as playing the piano or mental arithmetic. Synonym: idiot savant ==== Synonyms ==== (learned person): erudite, expert ==== Coordinate terms ==== (intellectually talented person): genius, prodigy, savante (rare female equivalent) ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === References === Douglas Harper (2001–2026), “savant”, in Online Etymology Dictionary. === Anagrams === avants, sat nav, sat-nav, satnav == French == === Etymology === Old present participle of the verb savoir (modern: sachant). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /sa.vɑ̃/ === Adjective === savant (feminine savante, masculine plural savants, feminine plural savantes) scholarly, scientific, learned nom savant ― scientific name emprunt savant ― learned borrowing musique savante ― art music clever, shrewd, skilful savant mélange ― (please add an English translation of this usage example) performing, trained singe savant ― trained monkey un chien savant ― a performing dog cheval savant ― (please add an English translation of this usage example) ==== Derived terms ==== savamment === Noun === savant m (plural savants, feminine savante) scholar, scientist Near-synonym: érudit savant fou ― (please add an English translation of this usage example) === Participle === savant (obsolete) present participle of savoir Synonym: sachant === Further reading === “savant”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012 === Anagrams === avants, vantas == Middle English == === Conjunction === savant alternative form of savynge == Romanian == === Etymology === Borrowed from French savant. === Noun === savant m (plural savanți) scholar, scientist ==== Declension ====