Originalities

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The state or quality of being unique or novel; distinctive characteristics that set something apart from others; a concept representing the introduction of new ideas or styles in art or literature
2. The condition of possessing traits or features that are not imitative; elements that contribute to an identity that is fresh and inventive; an aspect of creativity that showcases innovation and individuality
3. The attribute of being different and not derived from something else; aspects that provide freshness and authenticity; a measure of how much something represents newness or inventiveness in various fields

Etymology: "Originalities" is simply the plural of "originality," so it is best understood through that base word. Originality came into English from French "originalité," and it is built from "original" with the suffix "-ity," which turns an adjective into a noun for a quality or state. "Original" itself goes back to Latin "originalis," from "origo," meaning origin or beginning, so an original thing is one that goes back to its source rather than being copied from something else. The plural form is used when people speak of several distinct instances of this quality, such as the separate fresh ideas or inventive touches in a piece of work. Its sense of newness and freshness of thought grows directly from that root idea of coming from the beginning.

Synonyms: creativity, uniqueness, novelty, inventiveness, distinctiveness

Antonyms: copying, imitation, conformity, banality