reference book
8
2.6
- noun
- /ˈrɛfərəns bʊk/
:
libro de referencia
- For accurate facts about plants, I always consult a reference book from the library.
- a standard reference book
- reference books for information
- many reference books
Examples
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That's an extremely valuable reference book.
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"Both teams will be delivered the same reference books."
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To help my knowledge, having some reference books would be nice.
Academic text (2013) -
Well, here are your reference books and your paper and your pencil.
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Students studied Native American mask forms in reference books and on the Internet.
Academic text (2006) -
Many social studies texts have copies of primary source documents and list helpful reference books for additional reading.
Academic text (1992) -
Many of the reference books were re-cataloged and put back into student circulation.
Academic text (2013) -
Kate is by the bookshelf gathering reference books on time and space.
Fiction book (2001) -
Research options could include the use of library reference books, CD-ROMs, textbooks, Internet sources ...
Academic text (2004) -
Writing about American English, I've learned the rewards of looking beyond the explanations found in reference books.
Academic text (2009)
Synonyms
249
1.0
A book that gives simple instructions and basic information
165
1.0
A book or website that lists words and shows their meanings
83
3.7
A book or source you check for facts
64
3.7
A book or set of books arranged in alphabetical order with short articles on many subjects to look up facts
56
3.1
A short book with useful information and instructions about a subject or place
33
2.1
A book that gives information and advice about a place or activity
11
8.8
A book or guide that collects and summarizes important facts about a subject
8
2.5
A book that gives official rules and legal information
4
6.6
A book or database that lists words and their meanings
1
3.5
A book you use to look up facts, not to read from start to finish
1
4.4
A book that collects original documents and texts for study
1
4.9
A book that contains important original documents for study or reference
1
3.6
A book that gives basic facts about many subjects like history and science
1
3.0
A book with many facts you can check to find correct information
1
3.7
A book or document that gives clear facts and instructions for quick checking
A book that lists words and their meanings
An old book that lists words and their meanings
A book with information and advice for people visiting a place
How Comprehensive
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a book consulted for authoritative information' is directly compositional from 'reference' (something consulted for information) + 'book' (a published set of pages). This noun+noun compound follows a common, cross-linguistic pattern and would be predictable to a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.
Etymology
Reference book comes from the idea of a reference, something you 'refer' to when you need facts. It is a book you check for information rather than read from start to finish, so today 'reference book' means a book you use to find quick facts.