'perceptiveness' originates from the Latin word 'perceptio', where 'per-' meant 'through' and 'capere' meant 'to take or seize'.

'perceptio' transformed into the Old French word 'perception', and eventually became the modern English word 'perceptiveness'.

Initially, it meant 'the act of perceiving', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the ability to notice and understand things'.