-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
of unknown origin
idiom
—used to say that the source or cause of something is not known
a disease of unknown origin
Examples of of unknown origin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Goldberg's words come over a year after The View began an unrelenting battle with gaseous entities, following a horrific water spillage (and mysterious fart noise of unknown origin) that plagued the Hot Topics table in January 2023.
—EW.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Satellite photos show a series of fires of unknown origin in Russia's Black Sea waters near a Ukrainian island, according to NASA's Fire Information for Resource Management (FIRM).
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Three of the men are citizens of Colombia, a fourth is from Mexico and the fifth is of unknown origin, according to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office.
—Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 6 Aug. 2024
Genetic testing, however, led to a faster diagnosis for infants with diseases of unknown origin, with a decrease in the cost of care at nearly $15,000 per infant.
—Jodie Gillon, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2024
With both sides on high alert, a cyberattack of unknown origin is launched against Russian early warning systems, simulating an incoming air attack by NATO against air and naval bases in Kaliningrad.
—Ernest J. Moniz, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2019
The mirrored structure of unknown origin emerged without warning on a hill overlooking the northern Colorado town of Bellvue, about an 8-mile drive northwest from Fort Collins, multiple outlets reported.
—Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 27 June 2024
In early March, Dr. Elisha Frye, an assistant professor of practice at Cornell's Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, received a call about an outbreak among Texas dairy herds of a disease of unknown origin.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
Devi reportedly relayed a prophecy of unknown origin — the rock would break apart in one of two ways: Down the middle, humanity was facing extinction.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Dictionary Entries Near of unknown origin
Cite this Entry
“Of unknown origin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/of%20unknown%20origin. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share