n. [ F. intelligence, L. intelligentia, intellegentia. See Intelligent. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The act or state of knowing; the exercise of the understanding. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The capacity to know or understand; readiness of comprehension; the intellect, as a gift or an endowment. [ 1913 Webster ]

And dimmed with darkness their intelligence. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Information communicated; news; notice; advice. [ 1913 Webster ]

Intelligence is given where you are hid. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Acquaintance; intercourse; familiarity. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

He lived rather in a fair intelligence than any friendship with the favorites. Clarendon. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Knowledge imparted or acquired, whether by study, research, or experience; general information. Specifically; (Mil.) Information about an enemy or potential enemy, his capacities, and intentions. [ 1913 Webster ]

I write as he that none intelligence
Of meters hath, ne flowers of sentence. Court of Love. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. An intelligent being or spirit; -- generally applied to pure spirits; as, a created intelligence. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

The great Intelligences fair
That range above our mortal state,
In circle round the blessed gate,
Received and gave him welcome there. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Mil.) The division within a military organization that gathers and evaluates information about an enemy. [ PJC ]

Intelligence office, an office where information may be obtained, particularly respecting servants to be hired.

Syn. -- Understanding; intellect; instruction; advice; notice; notification; news; information; report. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, sends or conveys intelligence or news; a messenger. [ 1913 Webster ]

All the intriguers in foreign politics, all the spies, and all the intelligencers . . . acted solely upon that principle. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]