inventionn.
/ɪnˈvɛnʃn/, U.S. /ᵻnˈvɛnʃən/ I. The action, faculty, or manner of inventing.† 5. The manner in which a thing is devised or constructed; invented style, fashion, design. Obsolete.
1. † c. Finding out, solution (of a problem). Obsolete.
a. The action of coming upon or finding; the action of finding out; discovery (whether accidental, or the result of search and effort). Obsolete or archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > finding or discovery > [noun]
inventiona1350
discoverya1527
discovering1555
reperition1610
detection1623
the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > [noun]
contrivingc1330
discoverya1527
inventiona1538
out-finding1554
boulting out1563
reperition1610
elicitation1655
ascertainment1821
a1350 St. Stephen 212 in C. Horstmann Altengl. Leg. (1881) 30 Saynt Steuyn inuencioun: Þat es þe finding of his body.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. UUUviii In the Inuencion of the body of saynt Stephan.
a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 78 For no study nor desyre of victory, but only for the inventyon of the truth, & equyte.
1593 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie ii. i. 99 That iudiciall method which serueth best for inuention of truth.
1665 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 1 14 I have..reason to believe, that the Invention of Longitudes will come to its perfection.
1691 J. Ray Wisdom of God 202 Nature hath provided..four Channels to convey it into the Mouth, which are of late invention and called by Anatomists Ductus Salivales.
a1727 I. Newton Chronol. Anc. Kingdoms Amended (1728) i. 166 The invention and use of the four metals in Greece.
1851 J. M. Neale Mediæval Hymns 76 But that thirst Thou wouldst express For lost man's invention.
1867 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest I. v. 440 His tomb must have been removed on the Invention of Arthur in the time of Henry the Second.
b. Invention of the Cross n. the reputed finding of the Cross by Helena, mother of the Emperor Constantine, in A.D. 326 (see cross n. 2a); hence, the church festival observed on the 3rd of May in commemoration of this.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > finding or discovery > [noun] > specific
Invention of the Cross1451
north-west discovery1589
society > faith > worship > liturgical year > feast, festival > specific Christian festivals > Invention of the Cross (3 May) > [noun]
Crouchmas1389
Invention of the Cross1451
Rood Day1496
1451 T. Howes in Paston Lett. & Papers (2005) III. 129 The Sonday next after the fest of the Inuencion of the Cros, the ix day of Maij.
1577 R. Holinshed Hist. Scotl. 378/1 in Chron. I On the holy Roode day called the Inuention of the Crosse.
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 281 On the same day they commemorate St. Helen's Invention of the Cross at Jerusalem.
1709 London Gaz. No. 4539/1 Yesterday being the Feast of the Invention of the Holy Cross, the Emperor, the two Empresses..performed their Devotions in the Church of the Jesuits.
1897 J. T. Tomlinson Prayer Bk.: Articles & Hom. i. 14 The Invention of the Cross..‘has not been disproved’,—a faint praise, which might be applied to many other doubtful ‘inventions’.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > answer > [noun] > solution, explanation
soilingc1380
solutionc1384
invention1484
resolutiona1500
dissolution1549
way1574
resolvea1630
solving1706
solve1780
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > resolving of problem, solution > [noun]
soilingc1380
solutionc1420
invention1484
resolutiona1500
soluting1534
satisfactiona1569
assoil1589
assoiling1619
assoilmenta1680
solving1706
problem-solving1854
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope 3 A subtyle Inuencion of a sentence gyuen upon a derke and obscure cause.
1571 T. Digges in L. Digges's Geom. Pract.: Pantometria xxiv. sig. Ee iij Rules for the inuention of his capacitie superficiall and Solide.
1624 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy (ed. 2) iii. iv. i. iii. 518 Pythagoras offered an hundred Oxen for the invention of a Geometricall Probleme.
d. Rhetoric. The finding out or selection of topics to be treated, or arguments to be used.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > speech-making > rhetoric > [noun] > selection of topics or arguments
invention1509
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) viii. 29 The fyrste of them is called Invencion, Whiche surdeth of the most noble werke Of v. inward wittes.
1531 T. Elyot Bk. named Gouernour i. xiv. sig. Gviiiv Whiche is the fyrste parte of Rhetorike named Inuention.
1659 O. Walker Some Instr. Art of Oratory 1 The Parts of Oratory are Invention, taking care for the Matter; and Elocution, for the Words and Style.
1725 I. Watts Logick iii. ii. §7 By some logical Writers this Business of Topics, and Invention is treated of in such a manner with mathematical Figures and Diagrams, filled with the barbarous technical Words, Napcas, Nipcis, Ropcos, Nosrop, etc.
a1886 J. Ker Lect. Hist. Preaching (1888) xiv. 251 His sermons are remarkable for the skill displayed in what the French call ‘invention’ or the raising of topics.
2. The action of devising, contriving, or making up; contrivance, fabrication.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > fabrication of statement or story > [noun]
invention1526
forgery1582
fiction1605
romance1668
fabrication1790
whole cloth1823
concoction1831
fictionizing1938
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection Pref. sig. Aiiv These thynges, which be nat of myne inuencion: but with great labour gathered.
1551 Princess Mary Let. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. II. 163 To use alteracyons of theyr owne Invencyon.
1695 J. Woodward Ess. Nat. Hist. Earth 93 Carrying rather an appearance of Figment and Invention..than of Truth and Reality.
1704 in J. Swift Tale of Tub Bookseller to Rdr. sig. A4 This Proceeding was not of my own Invention.
1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 1 Printed News Papers..to spread Rumours and Reports of Things; and to improve them by the Invention of Men.
1900 N.E.D. at Invention Mod. Who is credited with the invention of this fable?
3.
a. The original contrivance or production of a new method or means of doing something, of an art, kind of instrument, etc. previously unknown (see invent v. 3); origination, introduction.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > invention, devising > [noun]
devisingc1400
invention1531
devisement1541
frame1558
warping1583
polymechany1592
contrivage1610
contrivance1699
devisal1856
the world > existence and causation > causation > source or origin > [noun] > origination or derivation > invention
invention1531
1531 T. Elyot Bk. named Gouernour i. xxvi. sig. Mvi They that write of the firste inuentions of thinges, haue good cause to suppose Lucifer..to be the firste inuentour of dise playinge.
1604 King James VI & I Counterblaste to Tobacco sig. Bv The first inuention of Tobacco taking.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan i. iv. 12 The Invention of Printing..compared with the invention of Letters.
1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall (1869) II. xxxviii. 429 The military art has been changed by the invention of gunpowder.
1857 H. T. Buckle Hist. Civilisation Eng. I. xiv. 820 All half civilized nations have made many great inventions, but no great discoveries.
1873 P. G. Hamerton Intellect. Life (1876) vii. iv. 247 The extreme rarity of inventions due to women.
b. In art and literary composition: The devising of a subject, idea, or method of treatment, by exercise of the intellect or imagination; ‘the choice and production of such objects as are proper to enter into the composition of a work of art’ (Gwilt Archit. Gloss.).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > the arts in general > [noun] > work of art > imaginative devising of
invention1638
1638 F. Junius Painting of Ancients 234 The Painter being loath to spoyle the naturall beautie..with an Artificiall bridge, fetcheth a sudden Invention out of..Palme-trees.
1667 J. Dryden Let. to Sir R. Howard in Annus Mirabilis 1666 Pref. The first happiness of the Poet's imagination is properly Invention, or finding of the thought.
1769 J. Reynolds Disc. Royal Acad. (1876) ii. 317 Invention..is little more than a new combination of those images which have been previously gathered and deposited in the memory.
1846 J. Ruskin Mod. Painters (ed. 3) I. 419 All so-called invention is in landscape nothing more than appropriate recollection.
4. The faculty of inventing or devising; power of mental creation or construction; inventiveness.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of imagination > inventive or creative faculty > [noun]
invention?a1505
imagination1509
wit-craft1573
inventa1605
contrivance1659
creativity1659
inventibility1662
inventiveness1668
originality1742
creativeness1805
constructiveness1815
construction1826
imagineering1942
a1505 R. Henryson Test. Cresseid 67 in Poems (1981) 113 I wait nocht gif this narratioun Be authoreist, or fenȝeit of the new Be sum poeit, throw his inuentioun.
1576 A. Fleming Panoplie Epist. Epitome sig. Aij I commende your wit and inuention.
1638 F. Junius Painting of Ancients 226 Wee must rather give our Invention the full raines.
1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §100 He was not a man of much invention.
1838 W. H. Prescott Hist. Reign Ferdinand & Isabella I. i. iii. 71 His invention was ever busy in devising intrigues.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > [noun] > of construction or composition
shaft888
makea1325
suitc1330
makinga1398
mark1482
inventiona1513
workmanship1578
cut1590
model1597
mould1667
fashioning1870
Mk.1921
a1513 H. Bradshaw Lyfe St. Werburge (1521) i. xvii. sig. f.iii Your garmentes..Euery yere made, after a newe inuencyon.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 115. ¶6 Guns of several Sizes and Inventions.
c1720 N. Dubois & G. Leoni tr. A. Palladio Architecture II. xiv. 23 The chambers..are..painted in grotesque of a very fine invention.
II. The thing invented.† 7. A work or writing as produced by exercise of the mind or imagination; a literary composition. Obsolete.† 10. Something formally or authoritatively introduced or established; an institution. Obsolete.
6. † b. A discovery. Obsolete.
a. Something devised; a method of action, etc. contrived by the mind; a device, contrivance, design, plan, scheme. (Now merged in senses 8, 9.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > instrumentality > [noun] > (a) means > available means or a resource > a device, contrivance, or expedient
costOE
craftOE
custc1275
ginc1275
devicec1290
enginec1300
quaintisec1300
contrevurec1330
castc1340
knackc1369
findinga1382
wilea1400
conject14..
skiftc1400
policy?1406
subtilityc1410
policec1450
conjecturea1464
industry1477
invention1516
cunning1526
shift1530
compass1540
chevisance1548
trade1550
tour1558
fashion1562
invent?1567
expediment1571
trick1573
ingeny1588
machine1595
lock1598
contrival1602
contrivement1611
artifice1620
recipea1643
ingenuity1651
expedient1653
contrivance1661
excogitation1664
mechanism1669
expediency1683
stroke1699
spell1728
management1736
manoeuvre1769
move1794
wrinkle1817
dodge1842
jigamaree1847
quiff1881
kink1889
lurk1916
gadget1920
fastie1931
ploy1940
1516 St. Bridget (Pynson) in J. H. Blunt Mirror our Lady (1873) p. liii There was a knyght that alway studyed to fynde newe inuencyons amonge the people.
1543 More's Hist. Richard III in Chron. J. Hardyng f. lxiiiv The weyghte of all that inuention rested in thys.
1602 W. Warner Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) xiii. lxxvii. 318 To worship meare Inuentions, yea inferior Things of nought.
1611 Bible (King James) Eccles. vii. 29 God hath made man vpright: but they haue sought out many inuentions.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 (1623) iv. i. 34 What, if both Lewis and Warwick be appeas'd, By such inuention as I can deuise? View more context for this quotation
1665 R. Boyle Disc. iv. ii, in Occas. Refl. sig. E4 True Preachers..mingle not their own Inventions, or humane Traditions, with that pure and sincere Light of Revelation.
1819 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto II cxxiii. 180 Those soft attentions, Which are (as I must own) of female growth, And have ten thousand delicate inventions.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > [noun] > a discovery
findingc1390
invention1613
discovery1632
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 36 Another of stone, in both which they writ their inventions of Astronomy.
1666 J. Smith Γηροκομία Βασιλικὴ To Rdr. sig. A vijv The Circular Motion of the Bloud; the best and most useful Invention of this Latter Age.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > a written composition > [noun]
i-writeOE
bookOE
writOE
workOE
pagine?c1225
lettrurec1330
dite1340
inditing1340
writing1340
scripta1350
dittya1387
stylea1400
scriptiona1425
framec1475
invention1484
piece1533
ditement1556
paperwork1577
composition1603
confection1605
composure?1606
page?1606
the written word1619
performance1665
literature1852
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope 3 She gaf to hym the yefte of speche for to speke dyuerse fables and Inuencions.
1593 T. Nashe Strange Newes 32 In al other my inuentions thou [Aristophanes] interfusest delight with reprehension.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) v. i. 330 Or say, tis not your seale, not your inuention . View more context for this quotation
8. A fictitious statement or story; a fabrication, fiction, figment.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > fabrication of statement or story > [noun] > an invention, fiction, story
fablec1300
fantasy1362
feigning1388
invention?a1513
story?1531
finctionc1540
figment1577
fingure1593
fiction1599
knavigation1613
flam1632
gun1720
novel1764
fabrication1790
fudge1797
gag1805
myth1840
make-up1844
concoction1885
fictionalization1954
a1513 W. Dunbar Tabill of Confessioun in Poems (1998) I. 271 In foule descepcioun, in fals invencionis breding.
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) iii. vi. 98 None in the world, but returne with an inuention, and clap vpon you two or three probable lies. View more context for this quotation
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 233 It may more probably be an Invention to fright Passengers.
1748 Acct. Voy. for Discov. North-west Passage I. 179 The Story which they had related..was all meer Invention.
1898 W. M. Ramsay Was Christ born in Bethlehem? v. 102 The extreme school of critics reject the tale as an invention.
9. Something devised or produced by original contrivance; a method or means of doing something, an instrument, an art, etc. originated by the ingenuity of some person, and previously unknown; an original contrivance or device.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > [noun] > contriving or devising > that which is contrived, devised, or invented
fantasyc1440
invention1546
coinage1604
devilment1855
the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > invention, devising > [noun] > an invention, device
findalOE
device1529
invention1546
invent?1567
discovery1676
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > instrumentality > [noun] > (a) means > equipment for any action or undertaking > a device or contrivance
compassinga1300
graithc1375
jetc1380
cautelc1440
quaint?a1450
invention1546
trick1548
frame1558
fashion1562
device1570
conveyance1596
address1598
molition1598
fabric1600
machine1648
fancy1665
art1667
fanglementa1670
convenience1671
conveniency1725
contraption1825
affair1835
rig1845
1546 T. Langley tr. P. Vergil Abridgem. Notable Worke iii. v. 70 b Tyle and slate to couer houses were the inuencion of Sinyra.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. xix. 21 b Gabions..in forme of Baskets..a very commodious invention, for the shot..can doe no hurt nor dammage.
c1660 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1644 (1955) II. 143 We enterd by the draw-bridg, which has an invention to let one fall unhappily if not præmonished.
1733 Ess. Hunting 33 Barometer..this Instrument (though a fine Invention) is still imperfectly understood.
1821 J. Q. Adams in C. Davies Metr. Syst. (1871) iii. 215 The French system..is in design the greatest invention of human ingenuity since that of printing.
1856 R. W. Emerson Eng. Traits iv. 51 The English..have made or applied the principal inventions.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > [noun] > edict, decree, ordinance, or institute
doomc825
i-setnessec900
setnessc950
edict1297
statutec1300
purveyancea1325
assize1330
ordinancec1330
decreetc1374
constitutionc1380
decree?a1400
sizea1400
stablementc1400
edictionc1470
stablishment1473
ordinationc1499
estatutea1514
placarda1530
prescript1532
golden bull1537
rescript1545
institute1546
institution1551
constitutec1561
sanction1570
decretal1588
ordain1596
decretum1602
invention1639
scite1656
dispositive1677
bull1696
ordonnance1702
subnotation1839
senatus consultum1875
fatwa1989
1639 R. Gentilis tr. P. Sarpi Hist. Inquisition 23 The Cardinall yeelding to necessity went away, and the new inventions were revoked.
1680 W. Temple Ess. Orig. & Nature of Govt. in Miscellanea (R.) Being forced to supply the want of authority by wise inventions, orders, and institutions.
11. Music. A short piece of music in which a single idea is worked out in a simple manner.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > piece of music > type of piece > [noun] > other types of piece
tinternel1573
aubade1678
nome1705
accompaniment1728
potboiler1783
raga1789
elegy1808
improvisation1824
pièce d'occasion1830
morceau de salon1854
tum-tum1859
murky1876
test-piece1876
invention1880
monodia1880
serenata1883
monody1887
dumka1895
incidental number1904
a cappella1905
folk-tune1907
realization1911
nosebleeder1921
show tune1927
sicilienne1927
estampie1937
ballad1944
Siciliana1947
hard rocker1957
rabble-rouser1958
display1959
mobile1961
soundscape1968
grower1973
lounge1978
1880 G. Grove Dict. Music Invention, a term used by J. S. Bach, and probably by him only, for small pianoforte pieces—15 in 2 parts and 15 in 3 parts—each developing a single idea, and in some measure answering to the Impromptu of a later day.
III. Senses relating to arrival.† 12. Coming in, arrival. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > arrival > [noun]
tocomeeOE
hithercomec900
comeOE
comingc1300
venue?a1400
arrival1518
arrivea1538
recovery?c1550
income1566
arrivance1583
invention1612
adventure1623
landing1705
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement towards a thing, person, or position > reaching a point or place > [noun] > arrival
tocomeeOE
hithercomec900
comeOE
comingc1300
tocominga1333
venue?a1400
arrival1518
arrivea1538
recovery?c1550
income1566
arrivance1583
invention1612
adventure1623
landing1705
rearrival1738
1612 M. Drayton Poly-olbion i. 3 And whilst green Thetis Nymphes..Sing our Invention safe vnto her long-wisht Bay.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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