genii

Noun

genii

1. (Roman) Guardian spirits.
   • On the 11th Century glass bowl above, the painted figures—winged genii, nude athletes and brawny soldiers—resemble mythological characters but may be only lighthearted mimicry of ancient Greek or Roman subjects.1980, Colin Thubron, Seafarers: The Venetians, page 40
2. Any similar beings of other mythologies.
   • "According to the old wives' tales that are related about this race of genii who inhabit Iceland and its vicinity, they have a political form of government modelled after the same pattern as that which the inhabitants themselves are under.1828, Thomas Keightley, The Fairy Mythology, volume I, London: William Harrison Ainsworth, page 253
3. (humorous, rare) People possessing extraordinary intelligence or skill.
   • Quiz kids of Senior Class announced today. Jack Daniels, Valedictorian; Mary Lou Shaw, Salutatorian; Irvin Nachman, Third Honor Student; Boots Cumming, Highest Average, and Janet Davis, Second Highest Average. Just a bunch of genii that’s all.1945 February, “Calendar”, in Mary Lou Shaw, Shirley Boulds, editors, The Anchor of February 1945, Newport News, Va.: Newport News High School, →OCLC
   • It aint oftin that you’s git a more better group of genii as was collected this year at good old Melrose High. To the credit of they, it can be said them didn’t do nothin’.1973, “Honor Society”, in Kathie Ahern et al., editors, Log, Melrose, Mass.: Melrose High School, →OCLC, page 54