An event that is a beginning; a first part or stage of subsequent events.

synonyms: origin, origination.

Roget 66: beginning, commencement, opening, outset, incipience, inception, inchoation^†; introduction etc. (precursor) 64; alpha, initial; inauguration, debut, le premier pas, embarcation [Fr.], rising of the curtain; maiden speech; outbreak, onset, brunt; initiative, move, first move; narrow end of the wedge, thin end of the wedge; fresh start, new departure.    origin etc. (cause) 153; source, rise; bud, germ etc. 153; egg, rudiment; genesis, primogenesis^†, birth, nativity, cradle, infancy; start, inception, creation, starting point etc. 293; dawn etc. (morning) 125; evolution.    title-page; head, heading; van etc. (front) 234; caption, fatihah^†.    entrance, entry; inlet, orifice, mouth, chops, lips, porch, portal, portico, propylon^†, door; gate, gateway; postern, wicket, threshold, vestibule; propylaeum^†; skirts, border etc. (edge) 231.    first stage, first blush, first glance, first impression, first sight.    rudiments, elements, outlines, grammar, alphabet, ABC.    ... show more

Dutch: begin, aanvang, geboorte, genese, ontstaan, wording, wordingsproces