reference
Use Reference in a sentence
ər noun
1.
an act or instance of referring.
2.
a mention; allusion.
4.
a direction in a book or writing to some other book, passage, etc.
5.
a book, passage, etc., to which one is directed.
6.
reference mark ( def 2 ).
7.
8.
use or recourse for purposes of information: a library for public reference.
9.
a person to whom one refers for testimony as to one's character, abilities, etc.
10.
a statement, usually written, as to a person's character, abilities, etc.
11.
relation, regard, or respect: all persons, without reference to age.
verb (used with object)
12.
to furnish (a book, dissertation, etc.) with references: Each new volume is thoroughly referenced.
13.
to arrange (notes, data, etc.) for easy reference: Statistical data is referenced in the glossary.
14.
to refer to: to reference a file.
00:10
Reference
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is hornswoggle. Does it mean:
| to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax. |
| to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly. |
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To reference
Collins
World English Dictionary
reference (ˈrɛfərəns, ˈrɛfrəns) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | the act or an instance of referring |
| 2. | something referred, esp proceedings submitted to a referee in law |
| 3. | a direction of the attention to a passage elsewhere or to another book, document, etc |
| 4. | a book or passage referred to |
| 5. | a mention or allusion: this book contains several references to the Civil War |
| 6. | philosophy |
| a. the relation between a word, phrase, or symbol and the object or idea to which it refers | |
| b. Compare sense the object referred to by an expression | |
| 7. | a. a source of information or facts |
| b. (as modifier): a reference book; a reference library | |
| 8. | a written testimonial regarding one's character or capabilities |
| 9. | a person referred to for such a testimonial |
| 10. | a. ( |
| b. (as modifier): a reference group | |
| 11. | point of reference a fact forming the basis of an evaluation or assessment; criterion |
| 12. | terms of reference the specific limits of responsibility that determine the activities of an investigating body, etc |
| —vb | |
| 13. | to furnish or compile a list of references for (an academic thesis, publication, etc) |
| 14. | to make a reference to; refer to: he referenced Chomsky, 1956 |
| —prep | |
| 15. | commerce re with reference to: reference your letter of the 9th inst |
| 'referencer | |
| —n | |
| referential | |
| —adj | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
reference
1589, "act of referring," from refer (q.v.). Meaning "direction to a book or passage" is recorded from 1612. Meaning "testimonial" is from 1895. The verb first is attested 1884. Reference book dates from 1889 (earlier book of reference, 1836). Phrase in reference to is attested
from 1594. Referential is attested from 1660.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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FOLDOC
American Heritage
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Example sentences
News articles, blog posts and e-mails often lack a systematic reference list that could be used to make a citation index.
Historical information necessarily is not current and is provided for your reference only.
The room was impeccable without having reference to any authority that could be perceived as inhibiting.
There was no reference to the size of the object and the picture was taken presumably by a satellite looking down on it.
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