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 consulting2: 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