ə̇nˈjēnyəs sometimes -nēəs adjective
Etymology: Middle French ingenieux, from Latin ingeniosus, from ingenium natural capacity, natural disposition + -osus -ous — more at engine
1. obsolete : showing or calling for intelligence : marked by mental power
ingenious studies — Shakespeare
2. : marked by especial aptitude at clever discovering, inventing, or contriving
the invention of the knitting frame by another ingenious English clergyman — Lewis Mumford
3. : marked by originality, resourcefulness, and cleverness in conception or execution
the iron safe built into the wall … made by an ingenious locksmith — Thomas Hardy
4.
[by alteration (influence of Latin ingenuus ingenuous)]
obsolete : ingenuous
Synonyms: see clever