provenance

views updated May 14 2018

prov·e·nance / ˈprävənəns/ • n. the place of origin or earliest known history of something: an orange rug of Iranian provenance. ∎  the beginning of something's existence; something's origin: they try to understand the whole universe, its provenance and fate. ∎  a record of ownership of a work of art or an antique, used as a guide to authenticity or quality: the manuscript has a distinguished provenance.

provenance

views updated May 29 2018

provenance XIX. — F., f. prp. of provenir come forth — L. prōvenīre, f. PRO-1 + venire COME.
So provenience XIX. derived immed. from the prp. of the L. vb. See -ANCE, -ENCE.

provenance

views updated May 08 2018

provenance The source or origin of detrital sediments.