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naivete - 2 dictionary results

na⋅ive⋅té

  [nah-eev-tey, -ee-vuh-tey, -eev-tey, -ee-vuh-]
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–noun
1. the quality or state of being naive; natural or artless simplicity.
2. a naive action, remark, etc.
Also, na⋅ïve⋅té, na⋅ive⋅te.

Origin:
1665–75; < F; see naive, ity2
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To naivete
na·ive·té or na·ïve·té   (nī'ēv-tā', nä'-, nī-ē'vĭ-tā', nä-)   
n.  
  1. The state or quality of being inexperienced or unsophisticated, especially in being artless, credulous, or uncritical.
  2. An artless, credulous, or uncritical statement or act.

[French naïveté, from Old French naivete, native disposition, from naif, artless; see naive.]
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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