ˈɔrɪdʒɪn n. 1 a
beginning or starting-point; a
derivation; a
source (a
word of
Latin origin). 2 (often in pl.) a person's
ancestry (what are
his origins?). 3 Anat. a a
place at
which a
muscle is firmly attached. b a place
where a
nerve or
blood vessel begins or branches
from a main nerve or blood vessel. 4
Math. a fixed
point from which coordinates are
measured. [F origine or f. L origo -ginis f. oriri rise]