invent

present singular third person invents · participle present inventing · participle past invented · past invented · first person past singular invented · archaic present second person singular inventest · past second person singular invented · archaic past second person singular inventedst · present singular third person invents · archaic present singular third person inventeth · past singular third person invented · past plural invented · past subjunctive invented · participle present inventing · participle past invented

1. To design a new process or mechanism.

   After weeks of hard work, I invented a new way to alphabetize matchbooks.

   1 more example

   Accurſt be he that firſt inuented war

   c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act II, scene iv

   Synonyms: conceive

2. To create something fictional for a particular purpose.

   I knew I had to invent an excuse, and quickly.

   1 more example

   We need a name to put in this form, so let's just invent one.

   Synonyms: make up, manufacture, spin

3. obsoleteTo come upon; to find; to discover.

   Far off he wonders, what them makes so glad, / If Bacchus merry fruit they did inuent [...].

   1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book I, Canto IV”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC