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asset

AS-et /ˈæsɛt/

nounC1GRESATTOEFLIELTS

formalneutral

A person, item, or quality that is useful or valuable. In intelligence, specifically a source or agent who provides information.

In intelligence, an 'asset' is a person cultivated and managed by an intelligence agency to provide information or assistance. It implies a relationship where the asset is a valuable resource, often operating in secret.

The story behind the word. The word 'asset' comes from the Old French 'asez,' meaning 'enough,' which itself derived from Latin 'ad satis' ('to sufficiency'). It originally referred to sufficient property to pay debts. Over time, it evolved to mean anything valuable or useful. In the context of intelligence, it specifically came to mean a valuable human source, someone who provides enough information to be considered a significant resource.

Word relationships

source: More general term for where information comes from.
informant: Often implies providing information to law enforcement, sometimes for reward.
agent: Broader, can be an official employee or a recruited individual.

liability: A person or thing whose presence or behavior is likely to cause embarrassment or put one at a disadvantage.
hindrance: A thing that provides resistance, delay, or obstruction to something or someone.

Collocations

valuable asset
key asset
intelligence asset
recruit an asset
manage an asset

Example sentences

"The handler met with his most valuable asset, a disgruntled official with access to top-secret documents." The spy agency recruited a new asset within the foreign ministry.
"His calm demeanor under pressure proved to be an invaluable asset during the crisis negotiations." Her ability to speak multiple languages was a great asset to the team.
"In the world of espionage, a well-placed asset can provide intelligence worth more than any technology." The company's intellectual property is its biggest asset.

Memory hook

Think 'ASSIST' – an asset is someone who ASSISTs an intelligence agency by providing valuable information. ASSIST: valuable person.

When not to use

While 'asset' has a general meaning of something valuable, in the context of intelligence, it specifically refers to a human source. Avoid using it for inanimate objects unless clearly specified (e.g., 'a technological asset').

Fun facts

The financial meaning of 'asset' (something owned that has value) is more common in everyday language, but the intelligence meaning is crucial in its specific field.