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refers - 2 dictionary results
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re⋅fer

  [ri-fur] verb, -ferred, -fer⋅ring.
Use refers in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to direct for information or anything required: He referred me to books on astrology.
2. to direct the attention or thoughts of: The asterisk refers the reader to a footnote.
3. to hand over or submit for information, consideration, decision, etc.: to refer the argument to arbitration.
4. to assign to a class, period, etc.; regard as belonging or related.
5. to have relation; relate; apply.
–verb (used without object)
6. to direct attention, as a reference mark does.
7. to have recourse or resort; turn, as for aid or information: to refer to one's notes.
8. to make reference or allusion: The author referred to his teachers twice in his article.
Origin:
1325–75; ME referren < L referre to bring back, equiv. to re- re- + ferre to bring, bear 1

Related forms:
ref⋅er⋅a⋅ble, re⋅fer⋅ra⋅ble, re⋅fer⋅ri⋅ble  [ref-er-uh-buhl, ri-fur-] , adjective
re⋅fer⋅rer, noun

Synonyms:
4. attribute, ascribe, impute. 5. pertain, belong. 8. advert, allude.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To refers
re·fer   (rĭ-fûr')   
v.   re·ferred, re·fer·ring, re·fers

v.   tr.
  1. To direct to a source for help or information: referred her to a heart specialist; referred me to his last employer for a recommendation.
  2. To assign or attribute to; regard as originated by.
  3. To assign to or regard as belonging within a particular kind or class.
  4. To submit (a matter in dispute) to an authority for arbitration, decision, or examination.
  5. To direct the attention of: refer him to his duties.
v.   intr.
  1. To pertain; concern: questions referring to yesterday's lecture.
  2. To make mention or reference.
  3. To have recourse; turn: refer to a dictionary.

[Middle English referren, from Old French referer, from Latin referre : re-, re- + ferre, to carry; see bher-1 in Indo-European roots.]
ref'er·a·ble (rěf'ər-ə-bəl, rĭ-fûr'-) adj., re·fer'ral n., re·fer'rer n.
Synonyms: These verbs mean to call or direct attention to something: referred to my indiscretion; adverting to childhood experiences; often mentions his old friend. See Also Synonyms at attribute, resort.

Usage Note: It is sometimes believed that the phrase refer back is redundant, since the prefix re- means "back," but the objection is misplaced. In fact, an expression can refer either to something that has already been mentioned or to something that is yet to be mentioned, and the distinction between refer back and refer ahead may thus be required for clarification. For example, the sentence Jones promised that if he was elected to the council, Harris would be made the council president is ambiguous, because the pronoun he may either refer back or refer ahead. See Usage Notes at allude, redundancy.
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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