/ Dictionary / Index O originate: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: o•rig•i•nate Pronunciation: (u-rij'u-nāt"), [key] — v., -nat•ed, -nat•ing. —v.i. to take its origin or rise; begin; start; arise: The practice originated during the Middle Ages. (of a train, bus, or other public conveyance) to begin a scheduled run at a specified place: This train originates at Philadelphia. —v.t. to give origin or rise to; initiate; invent: to originate a better method. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. See also: originate (Thesaurus) original sin originative Related Content Daily Word Quiz: penchant Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language