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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Ingenuity \In`ge*nu"i*ty\, n. [L. ingenuitas ingenuousness: cf.
F. ing['e]nuit['e]. See {Ingenuous}.]
1. The quality or power of ready invention; quickness or
acuteness in forming new combinations; ingeniousness;
skill in devising or combining.
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All the means which human ingenuity has contrived.
--Blair.
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2. Curiousness, or cleverness in design or contrivance; as,
the ingenuity of a plan, or of mechanism.
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He gives . . .
To artist ingenuity and skill. --Cowper.
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3. Openness of heart; ingenuousness. [Obs.]
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The stings and remorses of natural ingenuity, a
principle that men scarcely ever shake off, as long
as they carry anything of human nature about them.
--South.

Syn: Inventiveness; ingeniousness; skill; cunning;
cleverness; genius.

Usage: {Ingenuity}, {Cleverness}. Ingenuity is a form of
genius, and cleverness of talent. The former implies
invention, the letter a peculiar dexterity and
readiness of execution. Sir James Mackintosh remarks
that the English overdo in the use of the word clever
and cleverness, applying them loosely to almost every
form of intellectual ability.
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