Originate Meaning
/əˈɹɪd͡ʒɪneɪt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo cause (someone or something) to be; to bring (someone or something) into existence; to produce or initiate a person or thing.
verbTo come into existence; to have origin or beginning; to spring, be derived (from, with).
Sentence Examples
The agonies of the machine age do not originate from the machines as such.
I must know where these quotations originate.
People originate from the same Source, yet they hate each other.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Many ancient traditions ____ in early civilizations and have survived to this day.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Many English words ____ from Latin and Greek roots that were adopted centuries ago.
Word Origin & History
From Medieval Latin orīginātus, perfect passive participle of orīginō (“to begin, give rise to”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) for more), from orīgō (orīgin- in compounds) + -ō. Compare Italian originare and Spanish originar.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"At Putney Bridge the train description transmissions for eastbound trains must be originated as there is no manned signal cabin on the London Transport system beyond this point; [...]."
— 1960 December, “More L.T. progress with programme machines”, in Trains Illustrated, page 758:
"For the first time since Douglas Fairbanks Sr. originated the role in the 1920 silent "The Mark of Zorro," the hero will be played by a Hispanic actor."
— 1998 July 12, James Hebert, “Banderas puts his mark on 'Zorro'”, in San Diego Union-Tribune:
"The financial backers who originated the Encyclopédie project in 1745 had no idea about what they were getting into."
— 2002, Colin Jones, The Great Nation, Penguin, published 2003, page 171:
"Some of the most beautiful and thus appealing physical theories, including quantum electrodynamics and quantum gravity, have been dogged for decades by infinities that erupt when theorists try to prod their calculations into new domains. Getting rid of these nagging infinities has probably occupied far more effort than was spent in originating the theories."
— 2012 January 26, Michael Riordan, “Tackling Infinity”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 1, archived from the original on 30 Apr 2013, page 86:
"The idea of fitting a crane to an engine for shunting duties, primarily in works yards, appears to have originated with the North London Railway engine in 1872."
— 1951 October, H. C. Casserley, “Crane Engines”, in Railway Magazine, page 660:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Many ancient traditions ____ in early civilizations and have survived to this day.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Many English words ____ from Latin and Greek roots that were adopted centuries ago.