1
Stage 1 of 4
ingenuus
Latin · ancient
"free-born; frank, candid"
originally denoting free-born social status, later 'frank, candid'
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Stage 2 of 4
ingenu
French · 1200s
"ingenuous, artless"
shifted to describe artless, guileless simplicity
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Stage 3 of 4
ingenue
French · 1700s
"an artless young woman, especially on stage"
the feminine form named a stock theatrical role of an innocent young woman
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Stage 4 of 4
ingenue
English · 1848
"an innocent, unworldly young woman"
borrowed for the innocent-young-woman role and its performer
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