Innocent and unsuspecting; showing childlike simplicity and lack of guile or worldly experience.
From Latin 'ingenuus,' meaning 'native, freeborn,' from 'in-' (in) and 'gignere' (to beget). Originally referred to someone born free rather than enslaved, implying noble character and honesty, which evolved into the modern sense of innocent sincerity.
Don't confuse this with 'ingenious' (clever)! Think 'in-GENUINE-ous'—someone so genuine they're almost naive. An ingenuous person is so naturally honest they can't imagine others being deceptive.
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