Geisteskraft

mental power, intellectual strength

noun GAIS-tes-kraft Rare

Usage Note

Geisteskraft is an elevated term for the power of the human mind, used especially when praising creative or intellectual effort. The plural Geisteskräfte often appears: alle Geisteskräfte aufbieten = to summon all one's mental powers.

Examples

"Das Rätsel verlangte seine ganze Geisteskraft."

Natural Translation

The puzzle demanded all his mental power.

Literal Translation

The puzzle demanded his whole mind-power.

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