Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Ingenious
In-gen′ious
,Adj.
[L.
ingeniosus
, fr. ingenium
innate or natural quality, natural capacity, genius: cf. F. ingénieux
. See Engine
.] 1.
Possessed of genius, or the faculty of invention; skillful or promp to invent; having an aptitude to contrive, or to form new combinations;
as, an
. ingenious
author, mechanicA man . . . very wise and
ingenious
in feats of war. Hakluyt.
Thou, king, send out
For torturers
For torturers
ingenious
. Shakespeare
The more
ingenious
men are, the more apt are they to trouble themselves. Sir W. Temple.
2.
Proceeding from, pertaining to, or characterized by, genius or ingenuity; of curious design, structure, or mechanism;
as, an
ingenious
model, or machine; an ingenious
scheme, contrivance, etc.Thus men go wrong with an
ingenious
skill. Cowper.
3.
Witty; shrewd; adroit; keen; sagacious;
as, an
. ingenious
reply4.
Mental; intellectual.
[Obs.]
A course of learning and
ingenious
studies. Shakespeare
Webster 1828 Edition
Ingenious
INGE'NIOUS
,Adj.
1.
Possessed of genius, or the faculty of invention; hence, skillful or prompt to invent; having an aptitude to contrive, or to form new combinations of ideas; as an ingenious author; an ingenious mechanic. The more ingenious men are, the more apt are they to trouble themselves.
2.
Proceeding from genius or ingenuity; of curious design, structure or mechanism; as an ingenious performance of any kind; an ingenious scheme or plan; an ingenious model or machine; ingenious fabric; ingenious contrivance.3.
Witty; well formed; well adapted; as an ingenious reply.4.
Mental; intellectual. [Not used.]