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.