- invention
- mid-14c., from L. inventionem (nom. inventio) "a finding, discovery," from inventus, pp. of invenire "devise, discover, find," from in- "in, on" + venire "to come" (see venue). Meaning of "thing invented" is first recorded 1510s. Invent is from late 15c. Etymological sense preserved in Invention of the Cross, Church festival (May 3) celebrating the reputed finding of the Cross of the Crucifixion by Helena, mother of Constantine, in 326 C.E.