source

¹source

noun \ˈsȯrs\

Definition of SOURCE

1

a : a generative force : cause

b (1) : a point of origin or procurement : beginning (2) : one that initiates : author; also : prototype, model (3) : one that supplies information

2

a : the point of origin of a stream of water : fountainhead

b archaic : spring, fount

3

: a firsthand document or primary reference work

4

: an electrode in a field-effect transistor that supplies the charge carriers for current flow — compare drain, gate

— source·less \-ləs\ adjective

Examples of SOURCE

1. The college had its own power source.
2. She has been a great source of strength to me.
3. His job is the family's main source of income.
4. A government source spoke to the press today.
5. The reporter has refused to reveal his sources.
6. According to one source, the program will not cost a lot.
7. information from various intelligence sources

Origin of SOURCE

Middle English sours, from Anglo-French surse spring, source, from past participle of surdre to rise, spring forth, from Latin surgere — more at surge

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SOURCE

Synonyms

cradle, font, fountain, fountainhead, origin, root, seedbed, spring, well, wellspring

Related Words

beginning, commencement, dawn, day one, genesis, get-go (also git-go), inception, incipience, incipiency, kickoff, launch, morning, nascence, nascency, onset, outset, start, threshold; baseline, first base, ground zero, square one

See Synonym Discussion at origin

Rhymes with SOURCE

coarse, corse, course, force, gorse, hoarse, horse, Morse, Norse

²source

transitive verb

sourcedsourc·ing

Definition of SOURCE

1

: to specify the source of (as quoted material)

2

: to obtain from a source <metals sourced from abroad>

First Known Use of SOURCE

1957

³source

adjective

Definition of SOURCE

: of, relating to, or being source code <a source file>

First Known Use of SOURCE

1959