/ əˈrɪdʒɪneɪt; NAmE / verb ( formal )
1.
[ v , usually + adv. / prep. ] to happen or appear for the first time in a particular place or situation :
The disease is thought to have originated in the tropics.
2.
[ vn ] to create sth new :
Locke originated this theory in the 17th century.
► ori·gin·ator noun
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from medieval Latin originat- caused to begin, from Latin origo , origin- source, origin.