innovation

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French innovation, from Old French innovacion, from Late Latin innovatio, innovationem, from Latin innovo, innovatus. Morphologically innovate + -ion

noun

1. The act of innovating; the introduction of something new, in customs, rites, etc.
   The US supreme court has ruled unanimously that natural human genes cannot be patented, a decision that scientists and civil rights campaigners said removed a major barrier to patient care and medical innovation. 2013-06-21, Karen McVeigh, “US rules human genes can't be patented”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 2, page 10
   Innovation is more than a new method. It is a new view of the universe, as one of risk rather than of chance or of certainty. It is a new view of man's role in the universe; he creates order by taking risks. And this means that innovation, rather than being an assertion of human power, is an acceptance of human responsibility. 1954, Peter Drucker, The Landmarks of Tomorrow
2. A change effected by innovating; a change in customs
3. Something new, and contrary to established customs, manners, or rites.
4. A newly formed shoot, or the annually produced addition to the stems of many mosses.