desk reference
Workstation lookup volume
A desk reference is a book or resource kept within easy reach for quick consultation while working.
Unlike materials read cover to cover, desk references are designed for looking things up as needed: dictionaries, style guides, atlases, or technical manuals.
She kept a grammar desk reference by her computer.
The term implies both physical proximity and frequent use.
- handbookCompact reference guide
- manualWritten instructions for use
- encyclopediaComprehensive subject-matter collection
- dictionaryAlphabetical word reference
- thesaurusSynonym and antonym compendium
almanac · guide · bookshelf · lookup · look it up · index · glossary · compendium · quick · thumb · thumb through · tabbed · pages · dog-eared pages · browse · authoritative · standard · essential
- language referencesdictionary, thesaurus, dictionaries, glossary, lexicon
- Referencedictionary, encyclopedia, thesaurus, almanac, atlas
- reference booksdictionary, dictionaries, bilingual dictionaries, encyclopedias, thesauri
- reference materialsdictionary, encyclopedia, thesaurus, atlas, almanac
- reference worksencyclopedia, encyclopedias, handbook, dictionaries, dictionary
- referencesreferences, dictionary, encyclopedia, atlas, handbook