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”; ex- ¹, cogitate

Example Sentences

It was long before little Isie got to sleep, what with attempting to realize the actual condition of Alec Forbes, and trying to excogitate the best means for his deliverance.

From Alec Forbes of Howglen by MacDonald, George

But they err who excogitate from it those severe dogmas which express only dreams of the imagination and wishes of the religious spirit.

From History of Rationalism Embracing a Survey of the Present State of Protestant Theology by Hurst, J. F. (John Fletcher)

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

"Shall I to him"—Sister Margaret paused to excogitate the Yiddish word—"write?"

From Ghetto Tragedies by Zangwill, Israel

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