Is there a good word for an idea that someone came up with on their own? I'm talking about an original idea. The reason I want such a word is for my notes so that I can annotate, with as few words as possible, whether I reached an idea on my own or whether I used someone else's. I prefer a formal term over informal.
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What is wrong with "original idea"?– Matt E. ЭлленOct 28, 2014 at 14:33
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@MattЭллен Nothing. I just want to know if there is a single word I can use that conveys the same message.– Alex WOct 28, 2014 at 14:36
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@Matt: The only thing wrong with that is that there is no such thing.– RobustoOct 28, 2014 at 16:31
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The choice might be guided by context. I can envision situations where setting “invention” contrary to “collaboration” (or perhaps “addendum”) would be sufficiently clear.– Tyler James YoungOct 28, 2014 at 21:11
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4 Answers
You can consider brainchild. It is an informal word.
An idea or invention considered to be a particular person’s creation:
the statue is the brainchild of a local landscape artist
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/brainchild
An original idea or plan attributed to a person or group.
You can consider inspiration as a more formal word.
a product of your creative thinking and work; "he had little respect for the inspirations of other artists"
Something, such as a sudden creative act or idea, that is inspired.
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Except for it being informal, I think this is almost exactly the type of word I'm looking for.– Alex WOct 28, 2014 at 15:16
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How about epiphany [Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary]:
- a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into reality or the essential meaning of something, often initiated by some simple, commonplace occurrence.
- a literary work or section of a work presenting such a moment of revelation and insight.
Probably a brainstorm:
a sudden inspiration or idea.
A sudden clever plan or idea.
for a more formal but less common term, intellection:
- mental activity; thought
- an idea or thought
- notebooks filled with his intellections on an amazing array of topics.
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Thanks for your answer. I do think that works, but I don't like how it is an informal definition. I've edited my question to ask for formality.– Alex WOct 28, 2014 at 14:51
Two words come to mind, namely: {Inventive or contrivance}. The latter is defined as "Act or faculty of contriving; maneuvering; invention or inventive ability." Inventive is compared to 'original'.
answered Nov 4, 2014 at 19:43
