ingenious

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Adjective 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Related terms 1.3.3 Translations 1.4 References

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Latin ingeniosus (“‘endowed with good natural capacity, gifted with genius’”) < ingenium (“‘innate or natural quality, natural capacity, genius’”) < in (“‘in’”) + gignere (“‘to produce’”), OL. genere. Cf. French ingénieux; see also engine.

[edit] Pronunciation

•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Rhymes: -iːniəs

[edit] Adjective

ingenious (comparative more ingenious, superlative most ingenious)

1. Displaying genius or brilliance; tending to invent.

   This fellow is ingenious; he fixed a problem I didn't even know I had.

2. Characterized by genius; cleverly done or contrived.

   That is an ingenious model of the atom.

3. Witty; original; shrewd; adroit; keen; sagacious.

   He sent me an ingenious reply for an email.

[edit] Synonyms

• See also Wikisaurus:witty
• See also Wikisaurus:intelligent

[edit] Related terms

engine engineer genius

ingeniosity ingeniousness

[edit] Translations

[edit] References

• ingenious in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• ingenious in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911