origin

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun the place where something begins, where it springs into being
  2. noun properties attributable to your ancestry
  3. noun an event that is a beginning; a first part or stage of subsequent events

Etymology

From Middle English origine, origyne, from Old French origine, orine, ourine, from Latin orīgō (“beginning, source, birth, origin”), from orior (“to rise”); see orient. Doublet of origo.

In classic literature

Synonyms

beginning, root, rootage, source

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