I. in-ˈjen-yə-wəs, -yü-əs adjective
Etymology: by alteration
Date: 1588
obsolete : ingenious
II. adjective
Etymology: Latin ingenuus native, freeborn, from in- + gignere to beget — more at kin
Date: 1588
1. obsolete : noble , honorable
2.
a. : showing innocent or childlike simplicity and candidness
her ingenuous thirst for experience — Christopher Rawson
b. : lacking craft or subtlety
ingenuous in their brutality
Synonyms: see natural
• in·gen·u·ous·ly adverb
• in·gen·u·ous·ness noun