Webster's English Dictionary

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reference

1. ref.er.ence \'ref-*rn(t)s, 'ref-(*-)r*n(t)s\ n 1: the act of referring 
   or consulting  2: a bearing on a matter : RELATION  3: something that 
   refers : as  3a: ALLUSION, MENTION  3b: a sign or indication referring a 
   reader to another passage or book  3c: consultation of sources of 
   information  4: one referred to : as  4a: a person to whom inquiries as to 
   character or ability can be made  4b: a statement of the qualifications of 
   a person seeking employment or app ointment given by someone familiar with 
   them 4c: a book or passage to which a reader is referred  4d: DENOTATION, 
   MEANING 
2. reference vt : to supply with references