noun
savant
SAV-uhnt
noun
1
A highly learned or knowledgeable person, especially in science or literature.
"The historian was regarded as a savant on ancient civilisations."
2
Someone with an extraordinary, specific talent in one narrow area, such as music or mental calculation.
"He was a musical savant, able to replay a symphony after hearing it once."
How to Use Savant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA person who is either broadly learned, or exceptionally gifted in one specific skill.
Easily confused with
Word Forms
savants plural, Savants plural
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Etymology
Borrowed from French savant, "learned person," from Latin sapiō, "to be wise." The narrower "gifted talent" sense comes from the older term idiot savant.