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

Here the little thinker is not often left to excogitate a theory for himself.

From Children's Ways by Sully, James

Yet even Varchi shares the prevailing conviction that the proper method is first to excogitate a perfect political system, and then to impress that like a stamp upon the material of the commonwealth.

From Renaissance in Italy, Volume 1 (of 7) The Age of the Despots by Symonds, John Addington

Pending her appearance, he filled the spirit-stove, put the kettle on to boil, and lighting a cigarette, sat himself down to watch the pot and excogitate his several problems.

From The Lone Wolf A Melodrama by Vance, Louis Joseph

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

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