OCLC Terminologies Service: Preferred Term

A preferred term is an authorized heading in a thesaurus.

Topics in this document

Preferred term display
Preferred term display — MeSH
Searching linked terms
Copying terms

Preferred term display

Selecting a preferred term from your search results displays more information for that term.

A database record number replaces your search term(s).

These buttons (Previous search and Next search) display up to 10 searches. When you select one of the searches, the lists reset relative to the search you have just chosen.

The information for a preferred term may include one or more of the following, depending upon the thesaurus that your are searching:

Once you have chosen a specific preferred term, you can copy the term into your metadata editing application.

Database record number. A database record number shows the type of search performed, the thesaurus that was searched, and the authority record number within that thesaurus.

Example: ar:lctgm:0000002017

Search type	Thesaurus	Record number
al: — All words ar: — Authority record ID me= — Main entry phrase	lctgm	2017

Preferred term display — MeSH

The display for a preferred term from Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) includes links to a MeSH Online Record. The display may also include links to one or more locations in the MeSH tree. Selecting any link displays the associated information in the right-hand pane.

A preferred term display from Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)

Searching linked terms

You can search any broader, narrower, or related term shown as a link by selecting that term.

Click a link to a related term in a preferred term display to search for the related term

A linked search examines the fields within an authority record listed below. For more information about the indexing of authority records, see Indexed fields.

MARC Fields	Displays as
All 1xx — Heading fields	Preferred Term
All 4xx — See From Tracing fields	Non-Preferred Term
All 5xx — See Also From Tracing fields	Broader Term Narrower Term Related Term

Copying Terms

You can copy a preferred term, with or without its indicators and subfields to the clipboard, then paste everything into your cataloging/metadata editing tool.

Click Copy located under Functions to copy a preferred term with all indicators and subfields.

Click Copy as text located under Functions to copy only the preferred term.

Copy. To copy a preferred term with all indicators and its subfields use the Copy function.

Copy function

Action

1
Select the plus sign (+) to the left of Functions

Result: Copy and Copy as text appear below Functions.

2

Click Copy immediately

Or

Position the cursor over the Copy text until a down-arrow appears. Select the down-arrow then select Copy term.

Result: The preferred term and any associated tag, indicators and subfields are copied to the clipboard.

3
Paste the formatted text into Connexion browser or client.

Tool Paste Output for
Preferred term = noir fiction

Connexion browser >655 7 $a Noir fiction. $2 gsafd

Connexion client 655 0 ‡a Noir fiction. ‡2 gsafd

Copy as text. To copy only the preferred term use the Copy as text function.

Copy as text function

Action

1
Select the plus sign (+) to the left of Functions

Result: Copy and Copy as text appear below Functions.

2

Click Copy as text immediately

Or

Position the cursor over the Copy as text text until a down-arrow appears. Select the down-arrow then select Copy term as text.
Result: The preferred term only is copied to the clipboard.

3
Paste the formatted text into your metadata tool.

Tool Paste Output for
Preferred term = noir fiction

Metadata application Noir fiction