SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

in origin

Definition of in origin

—used to refer to a source or cause The English word “rendezvous” is French in origin.

Word by Word Definitions

originplay

: ancestry, parentage
: rise, beginning, or derivation from a source
: the point at which something begins or rises or from which it derives

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Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up in origin? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

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WORD OF THE DAY

perfunctory

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done merely as a duty

Words at Play

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How 'Wonderful' Lost Its Sense of Wonder

A case of semantic bleaching

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Don't Let Reading This Be Another 'Coulda' 'Shoulda' 'Woulda'

PSA: They're three separate words.

Food Words for Strong Flavors

A tasting menu of vivid flavor descriptions

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What's the Plural of 'Maitre d''?

Use this word to confuse a French speaker.

Ask the Editors

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Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

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Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

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Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

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Time Traveler Quiz: Which Word Came First?

Which word entered the English language first?

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Name More Food!

Test your knowledge of food vocabulary!

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True or False?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

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SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

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