Ref"er*ence (r?f"?r-ens), n. [See Refer.]
1.
The act of referring, or the state of being referred; as, reference to a chart for quidance.
2.
That which refers to something; a specific direction of the attention; as, a reference in a text-book.
3.
Relation; regard; respect.
Something that hath a reference to my state.
Shak.
4.
One who, or that which, is referred to.
Specifically; (a)
One of whom inquires can be made as to the integrity, capacity, and the like, of another
. (b)
A work, or a passage in a work, to which one is referred.
5. Law (a)
The act of submitting a matter in dispute to the judgment of one or more persons for decision.
(b) Equity
The process of sending any matter, for inquiry in a cause, to a master or other officer, in order that he may ascertain facts and report to the court.
6.
Appeal.
[R.] "Make your full
reference."
Shak.
Reference Bible, a Bible in which brief explanations, and references to parallel passages, are printed in the margin of the text.
© Webster 1913.