View synonyms for reference

reference

[ ref-er-uhns, ref-ruhns ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

an act or instance of referring.
a mention; allusion.
something for which a name or designation stands; denotation.
a direction in a book or writing to some other book, passage, etc.
Synonyms: citation, note
a book, passage, etc., to which one is directed.
reference mark ( def 2 ).
material contained in a footnote or bibliography, or referred to by a reference mark.
use or recourse for purposes of information:
a library for public reference.
a book or other source of useful facts or information, such as an encyclopedia, dictionary, etc.
a person to whom one refers for testimony as to one's character, abilities, etc.
a statement, usually written, as to a person's character, abilities, etc.
Synonyms: endorsement
relation, regard, or respect:
all persons, without reference to age.
Synonyms: concern, consideration

, ref·er·enced, ref·er·enc·ing.

to furnish (a book, dissertation, etc.) with references:
Each new volume is thoroughly referenced.
to arrange (notes, data, etc.) for easy reference:
Statistical data is referenced in the glossary.
to refer to:
to reference a file.

reference

/ ˈrɛfərəns; ˌrɛfəˈrɛnʃəl; ˈrɛfrəns /

the act or an instance of referring
something referred, esp proceedings submitted to a referee in law
a direction of the attention to a passage elsewhere or to another book, document, etc
a book or passage referred to
a mention or allusion
this book contains several references to the Civil War
philosophy
1. the relation between a word, phrase, or symbol and the object or idea to which it refers
2. the object referred to by an expression Compare sense
1. a source of information or facts
2. ( as modifier )
  a reference book
  a reference library
a written testimonial regarding one's character or capabilities
a person referred to for such a testimonial
1. foll by to relation or delimitation, esp to or by membership of a specific class or group; respect or regard
  all people, without reference to sex or age
2. ( as modifier )
  a reference group
point of reference
a fact forming the basis of an evaluation or assessment; criterion
terms of reference
the specific limits of responsibility that determine the activities of an investigating body, etc

to furnish or compile a list of references for (an academic thesis, publication, etc)
to make a reference to; refer to
he referenced Chomsky, 1956

First recorded in 1580–90; refer + -ence

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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