historical document
- noun
- /hɪˈstɔrɪkəl ˈdɑkjʊmənt/
- Many historical documents from the 18th century are preserved in the national archive.
- texts of historical documents
- historical documents and oral histories
I managed to record their oral histories and examine troves of historical documents that many had stored in their homes.
- I managed to record their oral histories and examine troves of historical documents that many had stored in their homes.
Examples
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I managed to record their oral histories and examine troves of historical documents that many had stored in their homes.
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Rigorous research assignments might ask students to critically analyze the diaries as historical documents.
Academic text (2008) -
The historical documents of your culture.
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Anyway, this little historical document has been put together from many sources.
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If Mrs. Ross created the first flag, why is there no mention of her flag in any historical documents?
Fiction book (2002) -
Gwen, show him the historical documents.
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For years since we first received transmission of your historical documents, we have studied every facet of your missions and strategies.
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It's a historical document.
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The first image of each pair is reproduced from a historical document or an advertisement.
Fiction book (1993) -
There are special problems attached to the use of both wills and inventories as historical documents.
Academic text (1996)
Synonyms
A paper or file that gives information about past events
A paper or electronic file that gives official information
A handwritten book or an author's original text sent to publishers
A written document that gives reliable information about past events
A document that keeps proof of facts or events
A formal paper that gives information or records facts
A written or spoken record of past events
A paper that describes events so people can read about them later
A thing that shows something important happened in the past
How Important
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'historical' (pertaining to the past) modifies 'document' (a written record), producing a record of historical significance. This adjective+noun pattern is common across languages and follows standard English composition, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Historical document is a written document from the past that shows what happened or how people lived long ago and the word historical points to 'the past'. Imagine finding an old letter or map that lets you see 'the past', so it means a piece of writing with real 'historical' value.