or·i·gin 
/ˈorəʤən/ noun
plural or·i·gins /ˈorəʤən/ noun 1 : the point or place where something begins or is created : the source or cause of something [count] ▪ The origin of this custom/tradition is not known. = The origins of this custom/tradition are not known. [=no one knows how this custom/tradition started] ▪ What is the origin [=etymology] of that word? ▪ The school had its origin [=the school was created] with a large gift from a donor. ▪ The story had its origin [=originated] in the 19th century. [noncount] ▪ The English word “rendezvous” is French in origin. [=the English word comes from French] ▪ The infection was bacterial in origin. [=the infection was caused by bacteria] ▪ The wine is named for its place of origin. [=the place where it was made/created] ▪ The game is of recent origin. [=the game was created recently] ▪ a disease of unknown origin [=a disease whose origin is not known] 2 : the place, social situation, or type of family that a person comes from [noncount] ▪ She is of French origin. [=ancestry] ▪ What is his country of origin? [=what country does he come from?] [count] ▪ Her ethnic origins are French. ▪ He comes from humble origins. [=he comes from a family that did not have high social status or much money]
