provenance

[prov-uh-nuhns, -nahns]

noun

1. place or source of origin.

   The provenance of the ancient manuscript has never been determined.

provenance

/ ˈprɒvɪnəns, prəʊˈviːnɪəns /

noun

1. a place of origin, esp that of a work of art or archaeological specimen

Word History and Origins

Origin of provenance¹

1860–65; < French, derivative of provenant, present participle of provenir < Latin prōvenīre to come forth; pro- ¹, convene, -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of provenance¹

C19: from French, from provenir, from Latin prōvenīre to originate, from venīre to come

Example Sentences

The Catholic Church has not taken an official position on the shroud’s veracity, but the exhibit’s organizers find the evidence for its divine provenance convincing and hope others will too.

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The provenance of other suspicious drones is less clear.

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Despite all the banks and federal officials giving digital assets their blessing, crypto’s provenance as an antiestablishment asset, born out of institutional distrust stemming from the 2008-2009 financial crisis, has been hard to shake.

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“I knew the provenance was good,” he explained, even if the producer and/or vintage was unknown.

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It requires large online platforms, such as social media sites, to provide accessible provenance data on uploaded content starting in 2027.

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Related Words

• origin