ingenuous
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1in·gen·u·ous

adjective \in-ˈjen-yə-wəs, -yü-əs\

Definition of INGENUOUS

obsolete

Origin of INGENUOUS

by alteration
First Known Use: 1588

2ingenuous

adjective

Definition of INGENUOUS

1
obsolete : noble, honorable
2
a : showing innocent or childlike simplicity and candidness <her ingenuous thirst for experience — Christopher Rawson>
b : lacking craft or subtlety <ingenuous in their brutality>
in·gen·u·ous·ly adverb
in·gen·u·ous·ness noun

Origin of INGENUOUS

Latin ingenuus native, freeborn, from in- + gignere to beget — more at kin
First Known Use: 1588

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