dereference

Short definition from Wiktionary

Verb

1. 1
   To access the value or object located in a memory location addressed by a pointer or another value interpreted as such; to access a value being referenced by something else.
2. 2
   To operate on the file or directory pointed to by a symbolic link, rather than on the link itself.
3. 3
   To dissolve a symbolic link by replacing it with a copy of its target.

Noun

1. 1
   The act by which something is dereferenced.