derivation - the source from which something derives (i.e. comes or issues); "he prefers shoes of Italian derivation"

spring - a point at which water issues forth

headspring, fountainhead, head - the source of water from which a stream arises; "they tracked him back toward the head of the stream"

headwaters - the source of a river; "the headwaters of the Nile"

wellhead, wellspring - the source of water for a well

jumping-off place, point of departure - a place from which an enterprise or expedition is launched; "one day when I was at a suitable jumping-off place I decided to see if I could find him"; "my point of departure was San Francisco"

place of origin, provenance, birthplace, cradle - where something originated or was nurtured in its early existence; "the birthplace of civilization"

home - place where something began and flourished; "the United States is the home of basketball"

point source - a spatially constricted by concentrated source (especially of radiation or pollution)

trail head, trailhead - the beginning of a trail

point - the precise location of something; a spatially limited location; "she walked to a point where she could survey the whole street"

communicator - a person who communicates with others

betrayer, blabber, informer, squealer, rat - one who reveals confidential information in return for money

leaker - a surreptitious informant; "the president wanted to know who the leakers were"

passive source - an informant who is not assigned to obtain specific intelligence but who routinely passes on whatever information he or she has

whistle blower, whistle-blower, whistleblower - an informant who exposes wrongdoing within an organization in the hope of stopping it; "the law gives little protection to whistleblowers who feel the public has a right to know what is going on"; "the whistleblower was fired for exposing the conditions in mental hospitals"

publication - a copy of a printed work offered for distribution

document, papers, written document - writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

source materials - publications from which information is obtained

fountainhead, wellspring, well - an abundant source; "she was a well of information"

facility, installation - a building or place that provides a particular service or is used for a particular industry; "the assembly plant is an enormous facility"

Golconda - a source of great wealth (especially a mine)

gold mine, goldmine - a good source of something that is desired

inspiration - arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity

taproot - something that provides an important central source for growth or development; "the taproot of his resentment"; "genius and insanity spring from the same taproot"

muse - the source of an artist's inspiration; "Euterpe was his muse"

coiner - someone who is a source of new words or new expressions

maker, shaper - a person who makes things

applied science, engineering science, technology, engineering - the discipline dealing with the art or science of applying scientific knowledge to practical problems; "he had trouble deciding which branch of engineering to study"

natural action, natural process, activity, action - a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings); "the action of natural forces"; "volcanic activity"

thing - a separate and self-contained entity

obtain - come into possession of; "How did you obtain the visa?"

outsource - obtain goods or services from an outside supplier; to contract work out; "Many companies outsource and hire consultants rather in order to maintain a flexible workforce"

document - support or supply with references; "Can you document your claims?"