provenance
noun
The place of origin or earliest known history of something; the beginning of something's existence; a record of ownership.
Etymology
From French provenance meaning "origin," from provenir (to come forth), from Latin provenire (to come forth, originate).
Examples in Use
- 1.
"The painting's provenance was traced back to a 17th-century Venetian collection."
- 2.
"Questions arose about the provenance of the artifacts in the museum."
- 3.
"Data provenance is crucial for maintaining scientific integrity."
Related Vocabulary
Synonyms
Related Words
Fun Fact
In the art world, provenance can dramatically affect value. A painting with documented provenance from famous collections can sell for millions more than identical works with unknown histories.
Word Game Tips
Letters: 10 letters (P, R, O, V, E, N, A, N, C, E)
Scrabble Value: 17 points
Tip: The letter pattern in "PROVENANCE" appears in many related words.
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