Glossary

RAG : Generation grounded in information retrieved at request time from outside the model's parameters.

Query : The current information need passed to Retrieval Methods. It may differ from the user's original wording after an explicit transformation.

Source : An original file or record from which searchable material is derived.

Chunk : A bounded, traceable extract derived from exactly one Source.

Search Hit : A scored Chunk returned by a Retrieval Method.

Evidence : Source-backed information selected from Search Hits to support or reject a proposed Answer.

Citation : A user-visible pointer from an Answer to the precise location of its supporting Source.

Pipeline RAG : A system in which application code follows a predetermined retrieval and generation flow.

Agentic Retrieval : A system in which a model chooses and may repeat Retrieval Methods based on what it discovers.

Agent Harness : The runtime that exposes tools to a model, executes approved calls, and returns tool results to model context.

Evaluation Set : Versioned, labeled Queries with expected Sources and Evidence used to compare retrieval and detect regressions.