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provenance

 - 3 dictionary results

prov⋅e⋅nance

  [prov-uh-nuhns, -nahns]
Use provenance in a Sentence
–noun
place or source of origin: The provenance of the ancient manuscript has never been determined.
Origin:
1860–65; < F, deriv. of provenant, prp. of provenir < L prōvenīre to come forth; see pro- 1 , convene, -ant
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To provenance
prov·e·nance   (prŏv'ə-nəns, -näns')   
n.  

  1. Place of origin; derivation.

    1. The history of the ownership of an object, especially when documented or authenticated. Used of artworks, antiques, and books.

    2. The records or documents authenticating such an object or the history of its ownership.


[French, from provenant, present participle of provenir, to originate, from Old French, from Latin prōvenīre : prō-, forth; see pro-1 + venīre, to come; see gwā- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

provenance 
1785, from Fr. provenance "origin, production," from provenant, prp. of M.Fr. provenir "come forth, arise," from L. provenire "come forth, organize," from pro- "forth" + venire "come."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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