It comes from the Latin word "originari," which itself is a combination of two words:
* "oriri," meaning "to rise" or "to be born," and
* "-ari," a suffix indicating "to become" or "to be made."
So, "originari" literally means "to be made from the rising" or "to come into being." This perfectly captures the essence of "originate," which implies a beginning, a source, or a point of emergence.
Over time, "originari" evolved into "originate" in English. The first recorded use of "originate" in English dates back to the 16th century.
Here's a breakdown of the etymology:
1. Latin: "originari" (to be made from the rising)
2. Middle English: "originate" (to come into being)
3. Modern English: "originate" (to begin, to start, to come from a particular source)
Interestingly, the word "origin" itself comes from the Latin word "origo," which is closely related to "originari."
The word "originate" has a rich history and its Latin roots clearly reveal its meaning and the concept of "coming into being."