E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Naivete (pron. nah’-eve-ty).
Ingenuous simplicity; the artless innocence of one ignorant of the conventions of society. The term is also applied to poetry, painting, and sculpture. The word is formed from the Latin natus, natura, etc., meaning nature without art.
