Word family noun origin original originality originator adjective original ≠ unoriginal verb originate adverb originally
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishoriginor‧i‧gin /ˈɒrɪdʒɪn $ ˈɔː-, ˈɑː-/ ●●● W2 noun [countable, uncountable] 1 (also origins [plural])COME FROM/ORIGINATE the place or situation in which something begins to existorigin of a new theory to explain the origins of the universein origin Most coughs are viral in origin. The word is French in origin. The tradition has its origins in the Middle Ages. old folk tales of unknown origincountry/place of origin (=where something came from) All meat should be clearly labelled with its country of origin.► see thesaurus at beginning2 (also origins) [plural]COME FROM/ORIGINATE the country, race, or type of family which someone comes from → extractionof French/German/Asian etc origin Two thirds of the pupils are of Asian origin. The form asks for information about the person’s ethnic origin. Immigrants rarely return to their country of origin. She never forgot her humble origins.COLLOCATIONSadjectivesa common origin (=a place or situation in which different things all started to exist)It may be that all life on Earth has a common origin.of recent origin (=having started to exist only a short time ago)This particular theory is of very recent origin.of unknown origin (=used to say that no one knows where, when, or how something started)an ancient folk tale of unknown originof doubtful origin (=unknown and possibly suspicious)The fire was still being treated as of doubtful origin.something’s historical/geographical/political etc originsThis type of story has its historical origins in eighteenth century gothic novels.the geographical origins of the plantverbshave its origin in something (=begin to exist)The ceremony has its origins in medieval times.trace its origins to something (=used to say that something can find evidence that it began to exist at a particular time or in a particular place)The Roman Catholic Church traces its origins back to the 4th century.trace the origin of something (=find where, when etc something began to exist)It’s difficult to trace the origin of some words.owe its origins to something (=used to explain how something began to exist)a government which owes its origins to revolutionsomething’s origins lie in something (=something comes from a particular place or or develops from a particular situation)a grape whose origins lie in northern ItalyThe technique’s origins lie in the popular arts of the time.something’s origins go back to something (=used to say when or how something began)The school’s origins go back to the 12th century.investigate the origin of something (=try to find out where, when etc something began to exist)researchers investigating the origin of AIDSphrasethe country/place of origin (=the country or place where something is made or produced)The rugs are somewhat cheaper in their country of origin. THESAURUSwhere something comes fromorigin/origins the place or situation in which something begins to exist the origins of the conflict in the Middle EastThe book explains the origin of words.Her disability is genetic in origin.source the thing, place etc that you get something fromThey get their money from various sources.Beans are a good source of protein.root the root of a problem is the main cause. The roots of something are the things that it was originally based onAllergies are at the root of a lot of health problems.At the root of the crisis was a shortage of hard cash. They want a return to the roots of Christianity.Reggae has its roots in a range of different musical styles. the birthplace of something the place where something first started to existNew Orleans is the birthplace of jazz.Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffeethe cradle of something the place where something important first started – used mainly in the following phrasesAncient Athens is considered to be the cradle of democracy.Baghdad was the cradle of civilization.starting point an idea, suggestion etc from which a discussion, process, or project can developHis paper provided an excellent starting point for discussion.to come from something or somewherecome from something to have developed from something that existed beforeThe word origami comes from the Japanese ori (folding) and kami (paper).Where did the idea for the book come from?be based on something to use something else as the basisThe film is based on a traditional Chinese story.She later wrote a book based on her experiences in Africa.originate to come from a particular place, group, or situation, especially one that existed a long time ago. Originate is more formal than come fromThe jewellery probably originates from Egypt.Genes also tell us that native Americans originated from a small group of migrants who crossed the Bering land bridge from Siberia. Christmas pudding is thought to have originated from a type of medieval porridge, which was made of meat, dried fruit, nuts, sugar and spices. be founded on something to develop from an idea or beliefOur system of government is founded on the principle of democracy.derive from something/be derived from something to come from something, especially by means of a long or complicated process – often used about words coming from another languageMuch of the English language is derived from Latin.Many drugs are derived from plants.have its origins/roots in something to develop from something that existed long agoHalloween has its origins in an ancient Celtic festival.Modern country and Western music has its roots in the folk songs of the rural south.go back to something to come from a particular past time or event or from something that existed a long time agoOur friendship goes back to our freshman year in college.The college goes back to the Middle Ages. Examples from the Corpus
origin• Kennedy's Irish-Catholic origins• Others have been acquired from other sources, although the exact origins of some of these remain somewhat obscure.• Nine percent of the city's population is of Hispanic origin.• Simple yet sophisticated, this dish has its origins in Rome.• Today's ceremony is a modern version of a tradition which has its origins in medieval times.• AIDS became widespread in the 1980s, but no-one is certain of its origin.• Regardless of its origins, the tarbush in its heyday once was favored by king and countryman alike.• Could it be that one far-off day intelligent computers will speculate about their own lost origins?• But I want to know my origins, my beginnings.• The magazines were organized by country of origin.• Federal law requires that every product should show its country of origin.• He's writing a dictionary that explains the origin of words.• Hughes's book 'The Fatal Shore' is a study of the origins of Australia as a British penal colony.• Advanced computer systems could trace the origin of every gun used in a violent crime.• Indeed, the schemata of adulthood have their origins in the schemata of early childhood.• Moreover, much of the growing industrial labour force was not of urban origin.country/place of origin• All indexed, described, places of origin, dates, histories, interesting facts ...• A survey of the country of origin of each breed reveals a strange distribution.• In contemporary Caucasian rugs the name is an indication of quality or design, rather than of the place of origin.• Men maintained some contact with their place of origin and might remember it in their wills.humble origins• Sid was always fond of reminding his audience of darts' humble origins.• In the case of plumes, the evidence for how they look comes from humble origins.• The list is bottomless, no doubt, but what about his humble origins?• Cooke could never forget his humble origins.• A man of humble origins with little formal education, Mr Bérégovoy had always taken pride in his reputation for integrity.• Social status, so quickly achieved, made the family unwilling in later years to acknowledge their very humble origins.From Longman Business Dictionaryoriginor‧i‧gin /ˈɒrədʒənˈɔː-, ˈɑː-/ (also origins) noun [countable, uncountable]1the situation, place, or substance something comes fromorigin ofSwiss authorities were doubtful about the origins of his financing.products of petroleum originThe software helps you trace the origin of any piece of data.2country/nation/point of origin the country or place that goods have come fromlists showing U.S. imports of crude oil and other products by country of originThe shipper assumes full responsibility for the cargo from the point of origin to the point of destination. → see also certificate of originOrigin origin (1500-1600) French origine, from Latin origo, from oriri “to rise” 