excogitate

American  

[eks-koj-i-teyt] / ɛksˈkɒdʒ ɪˌteɪt /

verb (used with object)

excogitated, excogitating

1. to think out; devise; invent.

2. to study intently and carefully in order to grasp or comprehend fully.

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excogitate British  

/ ɛksˈkɒdʒɪˌteɪt /

verb

1. to devise, invent, or contrive

2. to think out in detail

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Other Word Forms

• excogitable adjective
• excogitation noun
• excogitative adjective
• excogitator noun
• unexcogitated adjective
• unexcogitative adjective

Etymology

Origin of excogitate

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin excōgitātus, past participle of excōgitāre “to devise, invent, think out”; see ex- ¹, cogitate

Example Sentences

I wouldn't put the question to you for the world, and expose you to the inconvenience of having to—a— excogitate an answer.

From Washington Square by James, Henry

And he had four days a week in which to excogitate new methods of creating a fortune.

From The Card, a Story of Adventure in the Five Towns by Bennett, Arnold

The Apostle only commanded that each action and ceremony of God's worship be decently and orderly performed, but gives us no leave to excogitate or devise new ceremonies, which have not been instituted before.

From The Works of Mr. George Gillespie (Vol. 1 of 2) by Gillespie, George

Yet cause must be assigned, and the best form of words he could excogitate ran thus: 'Family circumstances render it desirable—almost necessary—that I should spend the next twelve months in London.

From Born in Exile by Gissing, George

No other author would have taken the trouble to excogitate him, and then treat him so badly.

From G. K. Chesterton, A Critical Study by West, Julius