n. [ See Refer. ] 1. The act of referring, or the state of being referred; as, reference to a chart for guidance. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. That which refers to something; a specific direction of the attention; as, a reference in a text-book. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. Relation; regard; respect. [ 1913 Webster ]
Something that hath a reference to my state. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ]
6. Appeal. [ R. ] “Make your full reference.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
Reference Bible, a Bible in which brief explanations, and references to parallel passages, are printed in the margin of the text. [ 1913 Webster ]