Origin Word Family Noun ˈɒrɪdʒɪn ˈɔːrɪdʒɪn Life Earth

• the origins of life on earth
• the origin of the word remains obscure.
• most coughs are viral in origin (= caused by a virus).
• the word burlesque is italian in origin.

origin

1. the point from which something starts; the cause of something
• the origins of life on earth
• The origin of the word remains obscure.
• Most coughs are viral in origin (= caused by a virus).
• The word burlesque is Italian in origin.
• a letter of doubtful origin
• This particular custom has its origins in Wales.

Extra Examples

• Population genetics owes its origin to Francis Galton.
• The development had its immediate origins in discussions with management.
• The dispute had its origin in the Battle of Wakefield.
• The label tells you the country of origin.
• The origins of Gdańsk go back to the tenth century.
• The rock is volcanic in origin.
• The term ‘black hole’ is of very recent origin.
• a painting of unknown origin
2. a person’s social and family background
• She has risen from humble origins to immense wealth.
• people of German origin
• children of various ethnic origins
• a person’s country of origin (= where they were born)
• He is a Londoner by origin.
• Their family can trace its origins back to the Norman Conquest.
• Regardless of national origin, they share a sense of belonging to an adopted land.

Extra Examples

• Her accent betrayed her working-class origins.
• Her family is Portuguese in origin.
• The name suggests a possible African origin.

Word Origin

• early 16th cent.: from French origine, from Latin origo, origin-, from oriri ‘to rise’.