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. [ 1913 Webster ] A man . . . very wise and ingenious in feats of war. Hakluyt. [ 1913 Webster ] Thou, king, send out
For torturers ingenious. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] The more ingenious men are, the more apt are they to trouble themselves. Sir W. Temple. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] Thus men go wrong with an ingenious skill. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Witty; shrewd; adroit; keen; sagacious; as, an ingenious reply. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Mental; intellectual. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] A course of learning and ingenious studies. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
