[ref.er.ee] n (1621) 1: one to whom a thing is referred: as a: a person to whom a legal matter if referred for investigation and report or for settlement b: a person who reviews a paper and esp. a technical paper and recommends that it should or should not be published c chiefly Brit: reference 4a
2: a sports official usu. having final authority in administering a game
[2]referee vb -eed ; -ee.ing vt (1889) 1: to conduct (as a match or game) as referee
2. a: to arbitrate (as a legal matter) as a judge or third party b: to review (as a technical paper) before publication ~ vi: to act as a referee