urtext

American  

[ur-tekst, oor-] / ˈɜrˌtɛkst, ˈʊər- /

noun

(sometimes initial capital letter)

1. the original form of a text, especially of a musical composition.

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Urtext British  

/ ˈuːrtɛkst /

noun

1. the earliest form of a text as established by linguistic scholars as a basis for variants in later texts still in existence

2. an edition of a musical score showing the composer's intentions without later editorial interpolation

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Etymology

Origin of urtext

First recorded in 1950–55; ur- ³ + text

Example Sentences

The Netherlands’ capacity to churn out tales of international squad discord is almost unrivalled but we only have to look back 23 years for the urtext, which was written on English shores at Euro 96.

From The Guardian • Nov. 12, 2019

Here’s the urtext for every other cinematic cavalry charge that followed:

From Slate • Apr. 30, 2019

It is the urtext, what every midcentury modern space before and since aspires to be.

From New York Times • Jul. 23, 2018

Joe's mission thus becomes the latest translation of the sacred sociopathic-cinema urtext that is "Taxi Driver," and what it lacks in originality, it makes up for in craft, commitment and brooding intensity.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2018

But that, of course, was the urtext of what was happening in America in the era of fallout shelters.

From Washington Post • Oct. 17, 2017