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reference

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ref⋅er⋅ence

  [ref-er-uhns, ref-ruhns] noun, verb, -enced, -enc⋅ing.
–noun
1. an act or instance of referring.
2. a mention; allusion.
3. something for which a name or designation stands; denotation.
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. material contained in a footnote or bibliography, or referred to by a reference mark.
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.
Use reference in a Sentence
Origin:
1580–90; refer + -ence

Synonyms:
4. note, citation. 10. endorsement. 11. consideration, concern.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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ref·er·ence   (rěf'ər-əns, rěf'rəns)   
n.  

  1. An act of referring: filed away the article for future reference.

    1. Significance in a specified context: Her speeches have special reference to environmental policy.

    2. Meaning or denotation.

    3. A note in a publication referring the reader to another passage or source.

    4. The passage or source so referred to.

    5. A work frequently used as a source.

    6. A mark or footnote used to direct a reader elsewhere for additional information.

    7. Submission of a case to a referee.

    8. Legal actions conducted before or by a referee.

    9. A person who is in a position to recommend another or to vouch for his or her fitness, as for a job.

    10. A statement about a person's qualifications, character, and dependability.

  3. The state of being related or referred: with reference to; in reference to.

  4. A mention of an occurrence or situation: made frequent references to her promotion.

    1. A note in a publication referring the reader to another passage or source.

    2. The passage or source so referred to.

    3. A work frequently used as a source.

    4. A mark or footnote used to direct a reader elsewhere for additional information.

    5. Submission of a case to a referee.

    6. Legal actions conducted before or by a referee.

    7. A person who is in a position to recommend another or to vouch for his or her fitness, as for a job.

    8. A statement about a person's qualifications, character, and dependability.

  6. Law

    1. Submission of a case to a referee.

    2. Legal actions conducted before or by a referee.

    3. A person who is in a position to recommend another or to vouch for his or her fitness, as for a job.

    4. A statement about a person's qualifications, character, and dependability.

    1. A person who is in a position to recommend another or to vouch for his or her fitness, as for a job.

    2. A statement about a person's qualifications, character, and dependability.

tr.v.   ref·er·enced, ref·er·enc·ing, ref·er·ences

  1. To supply references to: "Our memories are addressed and referenced . . . by significant fragments of their own content" (Frederick Turner).

  2. To mention in a reference; refer to: He referenced her book in his speech. See Usage Note at allude.

ref'er·enc·er n., ref'er·en'tial (-ə-rěn'shəl) adj., ref'er·en'tial·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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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, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: ref·er·ence
Pronunciation: 're-fr&ns, -f&-r&ns
Function: noun
1 : an act of referring; specifically : mention or citation of one document (as a statute) in another reference all or a part of this title —Alaska Statutes> —see also INCORPORATE
2 : a referral esp. to a legislative committee or master; also : an order referring a matter to a master reference —Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 53(c)>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ref·er·ence
Pronunciation: 'ref-(&-)r&n(t)s
Function: adjective
: of known potency and used as a standard in the biologicalassay of a sample of the same drug of unknown strength reference cod-liver oil>

Main Entry: reference
—see IDEA OF REFERENCE
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Computing Dictionary

reference
pointer

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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Idioms & Phrases

reference

see in regard (reference) to.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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