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indeterminate origin

[ˌɪndɪˈtɜːrmɪnət ˈɒrɪdʒɪn]
noun phrasepl: indeterminate origins
origem indeterminada
1. A source, cause, or beginning that cannot be precisely identified, established, or determined
The disease is of indeterminate origin, making treatment difficult.
A doença é de origem indeterminada, dificultando o tratamento.
2. Unknown or unclear ancestry or starting point
The artifact's indeterminate origin puzzled archaeologists for years.
A origem indeterminada do artefato desconcertou arqueólogos por anos.
Synonyms
unknown originunclear originunspecified originobscure originmysterious origin
Antonyms
determinate originknown originidentified originclear origin

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
origem indeterminada
standard medical and scientific terminology
Portugal
origem indeterminada
formal usage in medical and academic contexts
General
origem desconhecida
alternative, slightly more informal variant

Related Idioms & Phrases

of unknown origin
origin shrouded in mystery
origins lost in time
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