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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Source Definition, Usage & Key Examples Explained (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：origin of information (source)

source 🔊

/sɔːrs/

something or someone that gives you information.

Illustration of a student researching from multiple sources like a laptop and textbook.

origin of information 🔊

➕

/ˈɔːrɪdʒɪn əv ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən/

Refers to the person, place, or thing from which information or data is obtained.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old French 'sourse', derived from Latin 'sursum' meaning 'to rise'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a SOURCE as the place where something RISES, like water from a spring.

📖 Example

When writing his paper, Tom made sure to cite every source he used, like books and reliable websites. 🔊 Tom ensured to reference all his information sources, such as books and trustworthy websites, while writing his paper.

🔗 Collocations

reliable source – a trustworthy origin of information

primary source – an original document or firsthand account

cite a source – to acknowledge the origin of information in writing

🔄 Synonyms

origin (n.) – the point from which something begins or is derived

reference (n.) – a source of information cited for support

authority (n.) – a reliable source of information or expertise

🚫 Antonyms

destination (n.) – the end point rather than the starting point

conclusion (n.) – the final part rather than the origin

🌱 Derivatives

sourceless (adj.) – having no known or identifiable origin

📖 Cultural Story

Evolved from Latin 'sursum' (to rise), originally describing a river's spring. Now central in academia and journalism for citing origins of information.

Meaning 2：starting point (source)

source 🔊

/sɔːrs/

the starting point or place where something begins.

Photo of a natural spring as the source of a river in a forest.

starting point 🔊

➕

/ˈstɑːrtɪŋ pɔɪnt/

Indicates the place where something, such as a river or idea, originates or begins.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The source of the river was a small spring high in the mountains. 🔊 The river originated from a tiny spring located high in the mountainous region.

🔗 Collocations

water source – a place from which water is obtained

energy source – the origin of power or fuel

at the source – directly at the point of origin

🔄 Synonyms

spring (n.) – a place where water flows naturally from the ground

origin (n.) – the point where something begins or arises

fountainhead (n.) – the original source or starting point

🚫 Antonyms

mouth (n.) – the end point where a river flows into a larger body

terminus (n.) – the final point or destination