originate
Americanverb (used without object)
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to take its origin or rise; begin; start; arise.
The practice originated during the Middle Ages.
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(of a train, bus, or other public conveyance) to begin a scheduled run at a specified place.
This train originates at Philadelphia.
verb (used with object)
verb
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to come or bring into being
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(intr) (of a bus, train, etc) to begin its journey at a specified point
Related Words
See discover.
Other Word Forms
- originable adjective
- origination noun
- originator noun
- self-originated adjective
- self-originating adjective
- self-origination noun
Etymology
Origin of originate
First recorded in 1645–55; probably back formation from origination (from French ), from Latin orīginātiō “etymology”; origin, -ate 1, ion
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That absence has fueled skepticism about whether sponges truly originated as early as genetic evidence suggests.
From Science Daily
The study, published in Communications Earth and Environment, raises new questions about where iron in the Southern Ocean actually originates.
From Science Daily
These rare steroid molecules appeared to originate from ancient sea sponges.
From Science Daily
Much of the growth came from the sale of newly originated leases to a third party, a new tactic for the company.
From Barron's
The three doctors had attended a séance at the Phelps House and noticed that the rapping sounds seemed to originate closer to Maggie.
From Literature
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.