reference English · revision 3692

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1589|origins=la referō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈref.ᵊr.ᵊns/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|en|refer|-ence]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) or else [[bor|fr|référence]], from Medieval Latin *referentia,^(Etymonline) from [[la|referēns]], present participle of [[m|la|referre|t=to carry back]].^(Etymonline) It is related to [[refer]] and [[referee]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The act of referring a matter to someone for consideration or decision: 1589 in the OED,^(OED 1989) the 1580s in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) and 1579 in Merriam-Webster.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Relation or respect to something is from 1593,^(OED 1989) with the phrase ''in reference to'' following in 1594.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) An allusion is from 1613,^(OED 1989) and a direction to a book or passage where information may be found from the 1610s.^(Etymonline) A ''reference book'' is from 1808 and a ''reference library'' by 1834.^(Etymonline) A person or thing that may be referred to is from 1837,^(Etymonline) and a testimonial from 1895.^(Etymonline) In logic and linguistics, the relation of a term to what it denotes is from 1883.^(OED 1989) The verb, “to assign”, is from the 1620s, and “to provide with references” from 1837.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1589 – the act of referring a matter.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1594 – ''in reference to''.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1613 – an allusion.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1610s – a pointer to a passage.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1808 – ''reference book''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1883 – in logic.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1895 – a testimonial.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act of referring; a [[mention]] or [[allusion]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A note directing the reader to another passage or source; a [[citation]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A work, such as a [[dictionary]], consulted for information.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A statement about a person's character or ability, or the person who gives it.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(COED 2004)

+ # Relation; respect: ''with reference to''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # In linguistics, the relation between a word and what it denotes.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To supply with references, or to cite.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[referencer]]

+ * [[referentially]]

+ * [[subreference]]

+ * [[coreference]]

+ * [[misreference]]

+ * [[nonreference]]

+ * [[self-reference]]

+ * [[cross-reference]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[referee]]

+ * [[referent]]

+ * [[referential]]

+ * [[relate]]

+ * [[relation]]

+ * [[refer]]

+ * [[referral]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}