authority file

noun

, Library Science.

1. a file, either on cards or in machine-readable format, in which decisions involving bibliographic records, particularly for form of entry, are recorded to establish a precedent or rule for subsequent decisions and to provide for consistency of entries.

Word History and Origins

Origin of authority file¹

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

An updated version, due to become available on 21 January 2017, the Explorer's first anniversary, will feature 3 million syllabuses cross-referenced with about 150 million texts; these will include titles from the arXiv preprint server, CrossRef and the Virtual International Authority File — which links together identical bibliographic records from different national-library catalogues.

From Nature

Bild and German broadcaster ARD have reported the existence of a note on Lubitz's aviation authority file that recommends regular psychological assessment of the young pilot.

From Newsweek