Q. I would like to use a definition from an indirect source but I need to verify the quote is accurate and how to cite the source both in-text and

To be honest, I am not exactly sure why you feel this definition is from an indirect source, so I will try to answer it both ways and hopefully one of these works. If not, please feel free to call the Library or stop by if you can so that we can discuss it. The phone number is (218) 723-6140.

So there is a type of reference called a secondary source, which means that the source you have in your hand quotes someone else. The source you have in your hand is what you will have in your reference list. What you put in your paper as the in-text citation will (as they all do) have the author, year, and page number for a quote again of the source you have in your hand, but in your sentence, you will have to explain the secondary source that is being used. It could look something like this - An article from Smith is quoted in Anderson's (2013) book regading a definition for wrongful birth action, "A legal cause of action...." (p. 32). Hopefully that makes sense.

The second way I am thinking of this being cited is since this is a dictionary, they don't always have authors rather they have editors, so you start the citation off with the name of the word you are defining. Here is a link to our web page, which explains and gives an example of how to cite a dictionary for your reference list: http://libguides.css.edu/content.php?pid=61826&sid=1759242

How you would cite this in-text would be the first word of the title or in this case word being defined in quotes, the year and again the page number since this is a quote. This could look like this: ("Wrongful," 2011, p. 34). Again hopefully this makes sense.

Again please call if you have more questions. Good luck!