Invention
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States · John Bouvier · 1839
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
A contrivance; a discovery. It is in this sense this word is used in the patent laws of the United States. ft signifies not some thing which has been found ready made, but which in consequence of art or accident has been formed: for the invention must relate to some new or useful art, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or some new and useful improvement on any art, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter not before known or used by others.
Act of July 4, 1836, 4 Sharsw. continuation of ‘Story’ s L. U.S. 2506, Vide Patent. _INVENTIONES.
This word is used in some ancient English charters to signify treasure-trove..