sole existing copy; unique edition
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 4 examplesnoun
a book's only surviving copy in the world
formalUsed in bibliography and library science. Highly valued by collectors and researchers.
Zhè这
bù部
Sòng宋
kè刻
běn本
yǐ已
shì是
tiān天
xià下
gū孤
běn本
，
jià价
zhí值
lián连
chéng城
。
This Song dynasty printed edition is the sole surviving copy in the world and is priceless.
Tú图
shū书
guǎn馆
zhēn珍
cáng藏
zhe着
yī一
fèn份
Míng明
dài代
xiǎo小
shuō说
de的
gū孤
běn本
。
The library has in its collection the sole surviving copy of a Ming dynasty novel.
noun
the only extant unpublished manuscript or rubbing (after the original is lost)
formalRefers specifically to manuscripts, drafts, or rubbings. Often used in historical and archaeological contexts.
Zhè这
fèn份
shǒu手
gǎo稿
shì是
zuò作
zhě者
wéi唯
yī一
de的
wèi未
kān刊
gū孤
běn本
。
This manuscript is the author's only extant unpublished draft.
Shí石
bēi碑
huǐ毁
yú于
zhàn战
huǒ火
，
xìng幸
cún存
de的
tà拓
běn本
chéng成
le了
gū孤
běn本
。
The stone stele was destroyed in the war, making the surviving rubbing the only copy in existence.