Origin - Definition and Overview

The origin of something (from the Latin origo, "beginning") is where it came from, in the sense of a physical location or a metaphysical source.

• In mathematics:
  • the origin of a coordinate system is the point where the axes of the system intersect.

• The following branches of science and philosophy deal with origins.
  • Cosmology -- origin and evolution of the universe
  • Epistemology -- origin of knowledge
  • Etymology -- origin of words
  • Paleoanthropology -- the study of human origin
  • Toponymy -- origin of place names

• In games:
  • Origin can mean Origin Systems, a computer game developer
  • Origins can mean Origins International Game Expo, a gaming convention

• In music:
  • Origin is an album by Evanescence

• In literature:

• • 'The Origin may refer to Charles Darwin's 1859 book The Origin of Species
  • Origin is the name of a biographical novel by writer Irving Stone based on the life of Charles Darwin.
  • Origin is a comic book mini-series published by Marvel Comics in 2002, telling the origin of the superhero Wolverine.
  • Origin or is a science fiction book by Stephen Baxter.

• Origins can also refer to a brand by Estée Lauder Inc.