Main Entry: ¹ref·er·ence

Pronunciation: \ˈre-fərn(t)s, ˈre-f(ə-)rən(t)s\

Function: 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