invention

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A new device or process that someone has created for the first time.

   The wheel was an invention that changed human history.

2. 2
   noun

   The act of creating something new.

   The invention of the printing press spread knowledge across Europe.

3. 3
   noun

   The ability to think of new and clever ideas.

   It took a lot of invention to solve the puzzle.

From Middle English invencion, invencioun, from Latin inventiō either directly or via Middle French invencion, from Latin invenīre (“to discover, find, invent”), from in- (“in-: in, into”) + venīre (“to come”). Doublet of inventio. By surface analysis, invent + -ion. Displaced native Old English orþanc.

Topics