See Also: ingenuity(dictionary)
ingenuity(dictionary)

ingenuity (iou)



ingenuity noun. L16.
[Latin ingenuitas, formed as INGENUOUS: see -ITY.]
I. Senses connected with INGENUOUS.
Freeborn status. L16-M17.
Nobility of character; high-mindedness. L16-E18.
Candour, ingenuousness. Now rare. L16.
W. Godwin An expression of frankness, ingenuity, and unreserve.
II. Senses connected with INGENIOUS.
Orig., high mental ability, talent, intelligence, discernment. Now spec. cleverness at making, inventing, or contriving things, esp. of a curious or unexpected nature; skilfulness of contrivance or design. L16.
A. S. Byatt She had supposed human ingenuity would find ways round food shortages and overpopulation.
An ingenious device, an artifice. M17.