borrowed work

[ˈbɑroʊd wɜrk]
nounpl: borrowed works
obra emprestada
1. A creative work (literary, artistic, musical, etc.) that uses or incorporates material, ideas, or content from another source, typically with or without proper attribution or permission
The film was criticized for being a borrowed work that failed to credit its original sources.
O filme foi criticado por ser uma obra emprestada que não creditou suas fontes originais.
2. In academic or publishing contexts, a work that draws significantly from previous works but may lack original contribution
The thesis was rejected because it appeared to be largely a borrowed work without sufficient original research.
A tese foi rejeitada porque parecia ser largamente uma obra emprestada sem pesquisa original suficiente.
3. A derivative or adapted work based on existing material
The musical adaptation was technically a borrowed work from the original novel.
A adaptação musical era tecnicamente uma obra emprestada do romance original.
The term 'borrowed work' is commonly used in both American and Brazilian academic, legal, and publishing contexts to discuss issues of intellectual property and plagiarism. In Brazil, copyright protection and citation practices are increasingly emphasized in educational institutions. In the USA, the concept relates closely to fair use doctrine and Creative Commons licensing. The term carries negative connotations when used without proper attribution, reflecting global concerns about intellectual integrity.
NYC Slang
bite, jack, swipe, knockoff
Synonyms / Sinônimos
derivative workadapted workborrowed materialplagiarized workunoriginal work
Antonyms / Antônimos
original workoriginal compositionauthentic workcreative work

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
obra emprestada
Standard term used in academic and legal contexts
São Paulo
obra derivada; trabalho copiado
More commonly refers to derivative works or copies in publishing industry
Rio de Janeiro
obra emprestada; obra sem autoria própria
Emphasis on lack of original authorship
Portugal
obra adaptada; obra de segunda mão
Portuguese preference for 'adaptada' or literal 'second-hand work'

Related Words

plagiarismintellectual propertycopyrightattributionfair useadaptationparody

Related Idioms & Phrases

standing on the shoulders of giants (using previous work as foundation)
copying someone's homework
reinventing the wheel
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