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ingenue

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in⋅gé⋅nue

  [an-zhuh-noo, -nyoo; Fr. an-zhey-ny]
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–noun, plural -nues  [-nooz, -nyooz; Fr. -ny] .
1. the part of an artless, innocent, unworldly girl or young woman, esp. as represented on the stage.
2. an actress who plays such a part or specializes in playing such parts.
Also, in⋅ge⋅nue.

Origin:
1840–50; < F, fem. of ingénu < L ingenuus native, inborn, etc.; see ingenuous
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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in·gé·nue also in·ge·nue   (āɴ'zhə-nōō')   
n.  

  1. A naive, innocent girl or young woman.

    1. The role of an ingénue in a dramatic production.

    2. An actress playing such a role.


[French, feminine of ingénu, guileless, from Latin ingenuus, ingenuous; see ingenuous.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

ingenue 
1848, from Fr. ingénue "artless girl, especially on the stage," fem. of ingénu "ingenuous, artless, simple" (13c.), from L. ingenuus (see ingenuous).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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