ˌinjəˈn(y)üəd.ē, -ətē, -i noun
( -es )
Etymology: Latin ingenuitas ingenuousness, from ingenuus ingenuous + -itas -ity; in sense 2 & 3, influenced in meaning by ingenious
1. obsolete : ingenuousness , candor
2.
a. obsolete : genius , talent
b. : the power or quality of ready invention : skill or cleverness in devising or combining
infinite ingenuity of man … in finding new methods of torture for his fellows — Mary Webb
c. : cleverness or aptness of design or contrivance
despite the ingenuity of this etymological contention, the origin of the name is still disputed — American Guide Series: Minnesota
all the perverted ingenuity of propaganda — Dean Acheson
3. : an ingenious device or contrivance
sophistication in the ingenuities of language — T.S.Eliot
explore our stateroom, and scan eagerly the ingenuities by which we are to be surrounded for the journey — Frank A. Swinnerton