of unknown origin

idiom

used to say that the source or cause of something is not known
a disease of unknown origin

Examples of of unknown origin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First up is the Bride (Game of Thrones vet Indira Varma), a walking corpse of unknown origin. Hayden Mears, TVLine, 5 Dec. 2024 The vintage lemon tree tiles are of unknown origin, though Salley selected the Slim Citrus print by The Dybdahl Co. to accompany them. Linne Halpern, Architectural Digest, 12 Dec. 2024 Goldberg's words come over a year after The View began an unrelenting battle with gaseous entities, following a horrific water spillage (and mysterious fart noise of unknown origin) that plagued the Hot Topics table in January 2023. EW.com, 5 Nov. 2024 Satellite photos show a series of fires of unknown origin in Russia's Black Sea waters near a Ukrainian island, according to NASA's Fire Information for Resource Management (FIRM). David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 Three of the men are citizens of Colombia, a fourth is from Mexico and the fifth is of unknown origin, according to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office. Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 6 Aug. 2024 Genetic testing, however, led to a faster diagnosis for infants with diseases of unknown origin, with a decrease in the cost of care at nearly $15,000 per infant. Jodie Gillon, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2024 With both sides on high alert, a cyberattack of unknown origin is launched against Russian early warning systems, simulating an incoming air attack by NATO against air and naval bases in Kaliningrad. Ernest J. Moniz, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2019 The mirrored structure of unknown origin emerged without warning on a hill overlooking the northern Colorado town of Bellvue, about an 8-mile drive northwest from Fort Collins, multiple outlets reported. Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 27 June 2024

Dictionary Entries Near of unknown origin

Cite this Entry

“Of unknown origin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/of%20unknown%20origin. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!