/ ɪnˈvenʃn; NAmE / noun
1.
[ C ] a thing or an idea that has been invented :
Fax machines were a wonderful invention at the time.
2.
[ U ] the act of inventing sth :
Such changes have not been seen since the invention of the printing press.
3.
[ C , U ] the act of inventing a story or an idea and pretending that it is true; a story invented in this way :
This story is apparently a complete invention.
4.
[ U ] the ability to have new and interesting ideas :
John was full of invention—always making up new dance steps and sequences.
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IDIOMS
see necessity
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the sense finding out, discovery ): from Latin inventio(n-) , from invenire discover, from in- into + venire come.