1590s, "honor, nobility," from Middle French ingénuité and directly from Latin ingenuitatem (nominative ingenuitas) "condition of a free-born man," figuratively "generosity, noble-mindedness," from ingenuus (see ingenuous). Etymologically, this word belongs to ingenuous, but in 17c. ingenious and ingenuous so often were confused (even by Shakespeare) that ingenuity has acquired the meaning "capacity for invention or construction" (first attested 1640s).
实用例句
1. We were amazed at the ingenuity with which they solved their difficulties.
他们在解决困难中所表现的智慧使我们惊叹[佩服].
来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
2. The boy showed ingenuity in making toys.
那个小男孩做玩具很有创造力.
来自《简明英汉词典》
3. He is a democrat with the skill, nerve, and ingenuity to push the limits of the possible.
他是一个手腕高超、富有胆识、足智多谋的民主党人，能够让不可能的事成为可能。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Inspecting the nest may require some ingenuity.
