Invented

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ɪnˈvɛntɪd/

Definitions

1. Formed or designed something for the first time ; asserted something untrue as if it were real or original
2. Devised or produced an idea, device, or process that did not exist before ; made up a story or explanation that is not based on fact
3. Brought into existence a novel concept or object ; fabricated or presented a falsehood as genuine

Etymology: The past tense "invented" is the form of "invent", and the verb carries a surprising inheritance: Latin "inveniō" meant "come upon" or "find", not "make up". Its components are "in" ("in" or "on") and "veniō" ("come"), the same "ven" root found in "venture", "advent" and "event". Something that comes upon you is found, and the Latin sense of discovery stayed attached to the verb for centuries. English borrowed the verb from Old French "inventer" in the Middle English period, and it displaced the native Old English "āþenċan", which literally meant "to think out". The older English word had the making-up sense that "invent" later took over, so the two verbs swapped roles in a way that is easy to miss.

Synonyms: created, devised, designed, formulated, originated

Antonyms: destroyed, abolished, eliminated, forgotten, neglected