# reference

Pronunciation: say "REF-uh-runs" /ˈɹɛf.(ə)ɹəns/

## Noun

1. A mention of someone or something in speech or writing, frequently a passing or indirect one.
   - Simple: Something you say or write that mentions a person or thing, often quickly or not directly.
   - _In her speech, the mayor made only a brief reference to the budget crisis._
   - _The cartoon is full of sly references to old Hollywood movies that adults will catch._
3. A measurement used as a standard against which other measurements can be compared.
   - Simple: A fixed value that you compare other measurements to.
   - _The lab calibrated each instrument against a known reference._
   - _Surveyors fixed a stable reference before recording any elevations._
4. A work consulted for information, such as a dictionary, encyclopedia, or atlas.
   - Simple: A book or other resource you use to look up information, such as a dictionary, encyclopedia, or atlas.
   - _The old atlas is still a trusted reference, though most students now look up places online._
   - _Many references are now available online rather than in print._
5. A note in a text that identifies a work used as a source, or the source work itself.
   - Simple: A note in a piece of writing that shows where information came from, or the book or article it names.
   - _Every reference in the chapter follows the same citation format._
   - _He inserted a reference beside the statistic to show where it originated._
6. The act of looking something up in a book, document, or other source to find information, as in "for future reference" or "for ease of reference".
   - Simple: The act of looking at something to find out information.
   - _The manual stays in the glove compartment for quick reference on the road._
   - _Her constant reference to the dictionary slowed her reading of the French novel._
7. A statement about a person's character or abilities, written or given by someone who knows them well, especially to support an application for a job; the statement, not the person who gives it.
   - Simple: Information about a person, given by someone who knows them well, often for a job.
   - _A strong reference from a respected colleague helped her land the role._
   - _The landlord checked his references before approving the lease._
8. A person who provides information about another's character or qualifications; a referee.
   - Simple: A person who gives information about someone, often for a job.
   - _The committee phoned each reference before making an offer._
   - _A reliable reference can vouch for both your skills and your honesty._
9. A code or number assigned to a booking, order, payment, document, or record so that it can be identified.
   - Simple: A set of numbers or letters used to find one booking, order, payment or record.
   - _Quote the invoice reference on all correspondence so our accounts team can match your payment._
   - _The airline's email gave a six-letter reference for the flight reservation._
10. In computing, an object that holds information pointing to data stored elsewhere rather than containing the data itself.
   - Simple: In computing, a value that points to where data is kept, instead of holding the data itself.
   - _Passing a reference lets two functions share the same underlying data._
   - _A null reference often signals that an object was never created._
14. A relation in which one object designates or links to another, connecting a sign to the thing it stands for.
   - Simple: A link in which one thing points to or stands for another thing.
   - _Linguists study how a word's reference is fixed by its use in a community._
   - _Philosophers debate how a name acquires its reference._
15. The act of submitting a matter to a person or body for information or a decision.
   - Simple: The act of sending a matter to someone for advice or a decision.
   - _The case proceeded only after its reference to an independent panel._
   - _Reference of the bill to committee gave members time to study it._

## Verb

2. To mention or refer to something in speech or writing, including citing it as a source.
   - Simple: To talk or write about something, or to name it as a place you got information from.
   - _The professor referenced a famous experiment during the lecture._
   - _Politicians often reference past leaders to lend weight to their words._
12. To supply a whole piece of writing, such as an article or thesis, with citations for all of its sources, as notes or a list of references.
   - Simple: To add a list of sources to a piece of writing.
   - _Authors must reference their manuscripts before submitting them for review._
   - _She carefully referenced the dissertation according to departmental rules._
13. In computing, to hold a value, such as a memory address, that points to data stored elsewhere.
   - Simple: In computing, to point to data or an object using a stored address or other identifier.
   - _Two variables can reference the same object in memory at once._
   - _The pointer references a block allocated on the heap._

## Noun

11. A relationship or relation to something; a connection between one matter and another. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: A connection or link to something else.
16. An appeal; a turning to some person or authority for aid or a decision. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: An appeal or request made to someone for help or a decision.

## Other meanings

- (noun) In markup languages, a special sequence used to represent complex characters, such as the code that produces the trademark symbol.

## Origin

From Middle French référence, from Medieval Latin referentia, based on referēns, the present participle of referō ("to return, reply," literally "to carry back"). It combines "refer" with the suffix "-ence."

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/reference (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).