late 14c., "that from which anything is derived;" also "original text," from Old French original and directly from Medieval Latin originale (see original (adj.)). Of photographs, films, sound recordings, etc., from 1918.

early 14c., "first in time, earliest," from Old French original "first" (13c.) and directly from Latin originalis, from originem (nominative origo) "beginning, source, birth," from oriri "to rise" (see origin). The first reference is to sin, synne original, "innate depravity of man's nature," supposed to be inherited from Adam in consequence of the Fall (the modern word order original sin is from 15c.). Also from late 14c., "pertaining to or characteristic of the first stage of anything. Meaning "produced directly by an author, artist, etc." is from 1630s; that of "fresh, novel, new, striking" is by 1782. Related: Originally.

1742, "quality or state of being primary or first-hand," from original (adj.) + -ity. Probably after French originalité (1690s). Meaning "quality of being novel, freshness of style or character" is from 1787.

original form of prize (n.), q.v.

"a primitive form, original, or model after which anything is formed," c. 1600, from French prototype (16c.) and directly from Medieval Latin prototypus "original, primitive," from Greek prōtotypon "a first or primitive form," noun use of neuter singular of prōtotypos "original, primitive," from prōtos "first" (see proto-) + typos "impression, mold, pattern" (see type (n.)). In English from 1590s as prototypon.

1530s, "one of two or more things corresponding in every respect to each other," from duplicate (adj.). From 1701 as "another corresponding to a first or original, an exact counterpart or double of an original."