¹source

noun \ˈsȯrs\

: someone or something that provides what is wanted or needed

: the cause of something (such as a problem)

: a person, book, etc., that gives information

Full Definition of SOURCE

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

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

b archaic : spring, fount

: a firsthand document or primary reference work

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

— source·less \-ləs\ adjective

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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

Synonym Discussion of SOURCE

origin, source, inception, root mean the point at which something begins its course or existence. origin applies to the things or persons from which something is ultimately derived and often to the causes operating before the thing itself comes into being <an investigation into the origin of baseball>. source applies more often to the point where something springs into being <the source of the Nile> <the source of recurrent trouble>. inception stresses the beginning of something without implying causes <the business has been a success since its inception>. root suggests a first, ultimate, or fundamental source often not easily discerned <the real root of the violence>.