Emily Dickinson Lexicon

OR'I-GIN, n. [Fr. and It. origine; Sp. origen; L. origo.]

1. The first existence or beginning of any thing; as, the origin of Rome. In history it is necessary, if practicable, to trace all events to their origin.
2. Fountain; source; cause; that from which any thing primarily proceeds; that which gives existence or beginning. The apostasy is believed to have been the origin of moral evil. The origin of many of our customs is lost in antiquity. Nations, like individuals, are ambitious to trace their descent from an honorable origin.