source book

American  

Or sourcebook

noun

1. an original writing, as a document, record, or diary, that supplies an authoritative basis for future writing, study, evaluation, etc.

2. a volume containing a small collection of such writings, usually on a specific subject, used in research.

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Etymology

Origin of source book

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” is completed and will guide the upcoming seasons, unlike the unfocused, poorly paced last part of “Game of Thrones,” where the scripts outran the still-in-progress source book material.

From Washington Post • Oct. 24, 2022

At the end of the source book, they say maybe Redford would run for president.

From Slate • Oct. 18, 2019

To understand how this year has been like no other in California horse racing, you can look at the cover of the Del Mar Owners-Trainers-Jockeys 2019 source book.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 16, 2019

But primarily this is not a source book, but a long ethical essay, with considerable gaiety, humor and a refreshing time perspective.

From New York Times • Feb. 9, 2018

Geoffrey's Historia Regum Britanniae is noteworthy, not as literature, but rather as a source book from which many later writers drew their literary materials.

From English Literature Its History and Its Significance for the Life of the English Speaking World by Long, William Joseph

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