ə̇nˈjenyəwəs adjective
Etymology: Latin ingenuus, from in- in- (II) + -genuus (akin to Latin gignere to beget, bring forth) — more at kin
1. : freeborn
ingenuous Roman subjects
2. obsolete : of a superior character : noble , honorable
symptoms of an ingenuous mind rather unfrequent in this age of brass — William Cowper
3. : marked by lack of reserve, dissimulation, or guile:
a. : showing innocent or childlike simplicity, straightforwardness, frankness
the Earl of Kildare's ingenuous explanation that he would not have burned a church if he had not thought the bishop was in it — Douglas Bush
b. : marked by lack of subtle analysis or consideration : simple , unwary , unaware , open
a new invention (the telephone) in which it would seem ingenuous to believe too soon — Edith Wharton
at times he was astoundingly ingenuous , and then his dodges would not deceive the dullest — Arnold Bennett
4.
[by alteration (influence of Latin ingeniosus ingenious)]
obsolete : ingenious
Synonyms: see natural