The quality of being clever, original, and inventive in solving problems or creating something new. Skillful resourcefulness in overcoming difficulties.
From Latin 'ingenium' meaning natural capacity or talent, from 'in-' (in) + 'gignere' (to beget). Originally referred to innate mental ability, later evolving to emphasize creative problem-solving and inventiveness. The suffix '-ity' was added to form the abstract noun in Middle English.
Ingenuity literally means 'inborn genius' - the Romans believed some people were simply born with a divine spark for invention! Interestingly, it shares roots with 'engine' and 'engineer,' reflecting humanity's long association between mental creativity and mechanical innovation.
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