Origin

/ˈɒɹ.ɪ.d͡ʒɪn/ · noun

Meaning

The beginning of something..

Definitions by Sense

1. The beginning of something.
2. The source of a river, information, goods, etc.
3. (mathematics) The point at which the axes of a coordinate system intersect.
4. (anatomy) The proximal end of attachment of a muscle to a bone that will not be moved by the action of that muscle.
5. (cartography) An arbitrary point on Earth's surface, chosen as the zero for a system of coordinates.
6. (in the plural) Ancestry.

Example Sentences

place of origin

trace the origin of something

unknown origin

The custom has its origin in ancient Greece.

Scientists are studying the origin of the universe.

It is clear that the origin of the truth would be an admirable criterion of this sort, if only the various origins could be discriminated from one another from this point of view, and the history of dogmatic opinion shows that origin has always been a favorite test. Origin in immediate intuition; origin in pontifical authority; origin in supernatural revelation, as by vision, hearing, or unaccountable impression; origin in direct possession by a higher spirit, expressing itself in prophecy and warning; origin in automatic utterance generally,—these origins have been stock warrants for the truth of one opinion after another which we find represented in religious history.

Swearing doesn't just mean what we now understand by "dirty words". It is entwined, in social and linguistic history, with the other sort of swearing: vows and oaths. Consider for a moment the origins of almost any word we have for bad language – "profanity", "curses", "oaths" and "swearing" itself.

Synonyms for origin

Antonyms for origin

Related Words

Word Forms

• origins

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions