I. ˈre-fərn(t)s, ˈre-f(ə-)rən(t)s noun
Date: 1589
1. : the act of referring or consulting
2. : a bearing on a matter : relation
in reference to your recent letter
3. : something that refers: as
a. : allusion , mention
b. : something (as a sign or indication) that refers a reader or consulter to another source of information (as a book or passage)
c. : consultation of sources of information
4. : one referred to or consulted: as
a. : a person to whom inquiries as to character or ability can be made
b. : a statement of the qualifications of a person seeking employment or appointment given by someone familiar with the person
c.
(1) : a source of information (as a book or passage) to which a reader or consulter is referred
(2) : a work (as a dictionary or encyclopedia) containing useful facts or information
d. : denotation , meaning
II. adjective
Date: 1856
: used or usable for reference ; especially : constituting a standard for measuring or constructing
III. transitive verb
( -enced ; -enc·ing )
Date: 1891
1.
a. : to supply with references
b. : to cite in or as a reference
2. : to put in a form (as a table) adapted to easy reference