D defs.my
Entry 6 senses Webster, 1913

Reference

/(r?f"?r-ens)/ · Ref·er·ence · IPA /ˈɹɛf.(ə.)ɹəns/
01 n. The act of referring, or the state of being referred; as, reference to a chart for guidance.
  1. 1.
    The act of referring, or the state of being referred; as, reference to a chart for guidance.
  2. 2.
    That which refers to something; a specific direction of the attention; as, a reference in a text-book.
  3. 3.
    Relation; regard; respect.
    “Something that hath a reference to my state.” Shak.
  4. 4.
    One who, or that which, is referred to.
  5. 5.
    The act of submitting a matter in dispute to the judgment of one or more persons for decision.(Law)
  6. 6.
    Appeal.[R.]
Phrases & compounds
Reference Bible — a Bible in which brief explanations, and references to parallel passages, are printed in the margin of the text.