invent

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

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).

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /ɪnˈvɛnt/
  • (file)
  • Rhymes: -ɛnt

Verb[edit]

invent (third-person singular simple present invents, present participle inventing, simple past and past participle invented)

  1. To design a new process or mechanism.
    After weeks of hard work, I invented a new way to alphabetize matchbooks.
  2. To create something fictional for a particular purpose.
    Synonym: make up
    I knew I had to invent an excuse, and quickly.
    We need a name to put in this form, so let's just invent one.
  3. (obsolete) To come upon; to find; to discover.

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Translations[edit]

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

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Catalan[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

Noun[edit]

invent m (plural invents)

  1. invention
    Synonym: invenció

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Further reading[edit]