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1. Come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
   "invent a way to measure the speed of light";
   - contrive, devise, excogitate, formulate, forge
    
2. Make up something artificial or untrue
   - fabricate, manufacture, cook up, make up

Derived forms: invented, inventing, invents

Type of: concoct, create by mental act, create mentally, dream up, hatch, hit on, think of, think up

Encyclopedia: Invent