invent
UK[ɪnˈvɛnt]US[ɪnˈvɛnt]
v
to create or design something that has not existed before; to be the originator of a new device, process, or concept.
v
to fabricate or concoct something, typically a story or excuse, that is not true.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
vent
in
in, on
vent
come
Etymology
the word "invent" originates from the latin 'invenire', a compound of 'in-' (upon) and 'venire' (to come). its literal sense was "to come upon, to find, to discover". this meaning shifted in late latin to "to find by searching" and then to "to devise, to contrive". by the late 15th century, in english, it evolved to its modern primary meaning of creating something entirely new, reflecting a journey from the concept of discovering what already exists to the act of bringing something new into existence.
Analysis
Structure: in (in, on) + vent (come)
in- is a latin prefix meaning "in, on, upon". -vent comes from the latin verb 'venire', meaning "to come".
Examples
he helped invent a new system for desalinating seawater.
many people believe alexander graham bell invented the telephone.
she had to invent an excuse for being late.