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Added 9 October 2026

invent

/ɪnˈvɛnt/ verb

In Latin: inveniō, reperiō Wiktionary

verb Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about invent at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort.
excogitate a way to measure the speed of light
Concoct something artificial or untrue.

Origin

From Middle English inventen, borrowed from Old French inventer, from Latin inventus, perfect passive participle of inveniō (“come upon, meet with, find, discover”), from in (“in, on”) + veniō (“come”); see venture. Compare advent, covent, event, prevent, etc. Displaced native Old English āþenċan (literally “to think out”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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