/ əˈrɪdʒənl; NAmE / adjective , noun
■ adjective
1.
[ only before noun ] existing at the beginning of a particular period, process or activity :
The room still has many of its original features.
I think you should go back to your original plan.
2.
new and interesting in a way that is different from anything that has existed before; able to produce new and interesting ideas :
an original idea
That's not a very original suggestion.
an original thinker
3.
[ usually before noun ] painted, written, etc. by the artist rather than copied :
an original painting by local artist Graham Tovey
The original manuscript has been lost.
Only original documents (= not photocopies) will be accepted as proof of status.
■ noun
1.
a document, work of art, etc. produced for the first time, from which copies are later made :
This painting is a copy; the original is in Madrid.
Send out the photocopies and keep the original.
2.
( formal ) a person who thinks, behaves, dresses, etc. in an unusual way
•
IDIOMS
- in the original
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (the earliest use being in the phrase original sin ): from Old French , or from Latin originalis , from origin- , from oriri to rise.