In*gen"ious (?), a. [L. ingeniosus, fr. ingenium innate or natural quality, natural capacity, genius: cf. F. ingénieux. See Engine.]
1. Possessed of genius, or
the faculty of invention; skillful or promp to invent; having an aptitude to contrive, or to form new
combinations; as, an ingenious author, mechanic.
A man . . . very
wise and ingenious in feats of war.
Hakluyt. Thou, king, send out
For torturers ingenious.
Shak.
The more ingenious men are, the more
apt are they to trouble themselves.
Sir W. Temple. 2. Proceeding from, pertaining
to, or characterized by, genius or
ingenuity; of curious design, structure, or mechanism; as, an ingenious model, or machine; an ingenious scheme, contrivance, etc.
Thus men go wrong with an
ingenious skill.
Cowper.
3. Witty; shrewd; adroit; keen; sagacious; as, an ingenious reply.
4. Mental; intellectual. [Obs.]
A course of learning and ingenious studies.
Shak.
Hear it pronounced