originality
UK[əˌrɪdʒəˈnæləti]US[əˌrɪdʒəˈnæləti]
n
The quality of being new and interesting in a way that is different from anything that has existed before.
n
The ability to think of, do, or create something new and not simply copy someone else.
Morpheme Breakdown
origin
al
ity
origin
source
al
adjective suffix
ity
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'originality' is built upon the core Latin noun 'origo', meaning 'beginning' or 'source', which itself derives from the verb 'oriri' ('to rise'). The suffix '-al' transforms this noun into the adjective 'original', meaning 'of or relating to the source or beginning'. Finally, the abstract noun-forming suffix '-ity' is added to create 'originality', denoting the state or quality of being connected to the origin. Thus, the term's logic evolved from the concrete concept of a starting point to the abstract quality of something that is not derived from another source, possessing newness and inventiveness from its own 'birth'.
Analysis
Structure: origin (source) + al (adjective suffix) + ity (noun suffix)
- origin: From Latin 'origin-', 'origo' (beginning, source, birth). The root in this word.
- al: A suffix of Latin origin forming adjectives meaning 'of the kind of, pertaining to'.
- ity: A suffix of Latin origin forming nouns expressing state or condition.
Examples
The design was praised for its striking originality.
Her work shows great originality of thought.
The judges were looking for originality in the competition entries.