inventory
    n 1: a detailed list of all the items in stock [syn:
         inventory, stock list]
    2: the merchandise that a shop has on hand; "they carried a vast
       inventory of hardware"; "they stopped selling in exact sizes
       in order to reduce inventory" [syn: stock, inventory]
    3: (accounting) the value of a firm's current assets including
       raw materials and work in progress and finished goods
    4: a collection of resources; "he dipped into his intellectual
       armory to find an answer" [syn: armory, armoury,
       inventory]
    5: making an itemized list of merchandise or supplies on hand;
       "an inventory may be necessary to see if anything is
       missing"; "they held an inventory every month" [syn:
       inventory, inventorying, stocktaking, stock-taking]
    v 1: make or include in an itemized record or report; "Inventory
         all books before the end of the year" [syn: inventory,
         take stock, stock-take]

Inventory \In"ven*to*ry\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inventoried; p.
   pr. & vb. n. Inventorying.] [Cf. F. inventorier.]
   To make an inventory of; to make a list, catalogue, or
   schedule of; to insert or register in an account of goods;
   as, a merchant inventories his stock.
   [1913 Webster]

         I will give out divers schedules of my beauty; it shall
         be inventoried, and every particle and utensil labeled.
                                                  --Shak.
   [1913 Webster]

Inventory \In"ven*to*ry\, n.; pl. Inventories. [L.
   inventarium: cf. LL. inventorium, F. inventaire, OF. also
   inventoire. See Invent.]
   1. An account, catalogue, or schedule, made by an executor or
      administrator, of all the goods and chattels, and
      sometimes of the real estate, of a deceased person; a list
      of the property of which a person or estate is found to be
      possessed; hence, an itemized list of goods or valuables,
      with their estimated worth. Hence: Any listing, as in a
      catalogue, of objects or resources on hand and available
      for use or for sale. Specifically, the annual account
      listing the stock on hand, taken in any business.
      [1913 Webster]

            There take an inventory of all I have. --Shak.

   2. The objects contained on an inventory[1]; especially: the
      stock of items on hand in any business, either for sale
      and not yet sold, or kept as raw materials to be converted
      into finished products.
      [PJC]

   3. The total value of all goods in an inventory[2].
      [PJC]

   4. The act of making an inventory[1].
      [PJC]

   Syn: List; register; schedule; catalogue. See List.
        [1913 Webster]

INVENTORY. A list, schedule, or enumeration in writing, containing, article 
by article, the goods and chattels, rights and credits, and, in some cases, 
the lands and tenements, of a person or persons. In its most common 
acceptation, an inventory is a conservatory act, which is made to ascertain 
the situation of an intestate's estate, the estate of an insolvent, and the 
like, for the purpose of securing it to those entitled to it. 
     2. When the inventory is made of goods and estates assigned or conveyed 
in trust, it must include all the property conveyed. 
     3. In case of intestate estates, it is required to contain only the 
personal property, or that to which the administrator is entitled. The 
claims due to the estate ought to be separated; those which are desperate or 
had ought to be so returned. The articles ought to be set down separately, 
as already mentioned, and separately valued. 
     4. The inventory is to be made in the presence of at least two of the 
creditors of the deceased, or legatees or next of kin, and, in their default 
and absence, of two honest persons. The appraisers must sign it, and make 
oath or affirmation that the appraisement is just to the best of their 
knowledge. Vide, generally, 14 Vin. Ab. 465; Bac. Ab. Executors, &c., E 11; 
4 Com. Dig. 14; Ayliffe's Pand. 414; Ayliffe's Parerg. 305; Com. Dig. 
Administration, B 7; 3 Burr. 1922; 2 Addams' Rep. 319; S. C. 2 Eccles. R. 
322; Lovel. on Wills; 38; 2 Bl. Com. 514; 8 Serg. & Rawle, 128; Godolph. 
150, and the article Benefit  of Inventory.