Outsources

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. The act of delegating specific tasks or responsibilities to external contractors is utilized to streamline operations
2. Engaging third-party services entails the transfer of certain operational duties to focus on primary business areas
3. The practice involves assigning specific jobs or functions to external providers to enhance efficiency and allow concentration on core activities

Etymology: "Outsources" is the third-person singular form of "outsource," a compound built from "out" and "source." The "source" element comes via Old French "sourdre" from Latin "surgere," meaning "to rise up" or "to spring forth," which also gave English "source" the sense of something that springs up or originates. "Out" is the Old English "ūt," meaning away from the inside or beyond a boundary. Put together, "outsource" literally means to draw from somewhere beyond one's own boundary, which fits the modern business sense of obtaining work or services from an outside supplier rather than doing it in-house. The verb is a plain combination of two common English words, so its meaning follows directly from its parts.

Synonyms: delegates, contracts out, subcontracts, sells off, assigns

Antonyms: insources, retains, keeps in-house, handles internally, manages