 reference |
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| 1. | [ noun ] a remark that calls attention to something or someone | |
| Synonyms: | mention | |
| Examples: | "she made frequent mention of her promotion" "there was no mention of it" "the speaker made several references to his wife" |
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| Related terms: | remark allusion name-dropping retrospection mention | |
| 2. | [ noun ] (writing) a short note acknowledging a source of information or quoting a passage | |
| Synonyms: | quotation mention credit acknowledgment citation | |
| Examples: | "the student's essay failed to list several important citations" "the article includes mention of similar clinical cases" |
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| Related terms: | note cross-reference photo_credit mention notice adduce | |
| 3. | [ noun ] (writing) a book to which you can refer for authoritative facts | |
| Synonyms: | reference_work book_of_facts reference_book | |
| Examples: | "he contributed articles to the basic reference work on that topic" |
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| Related terms: | book encyclopedia directory annual source_book cookbook handbook atlas instruction_book wordbook refer | |
| 4. | [ noun ] an indicator that orients you generally | |
| Synonyms: | point_of_reference reference_point | |
| Examples: | "it is used as a reference for comparing the heating and the electrical energy involved" |
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| Related terms: | indicator standard target buoy landmark white_line lubber's_line benchmark | |
| 5. | [ noun ] a formal recommendation by a former employer to a potential future employer describing the person's qualifications and dependability | |
| Synonyms: | character character_reference | |
| Examples: | "requests for character references are all to often answered evasively" |
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| Related terms: | recommendation qualify | |
| 6. | [ noun ] the most direct or specific meaning of a word or expression; the class of objects that an expression refers to | |
| Synonyms: | extension denotation | |
| Examples: | "the extension of `satellite of Mars' is the set containing only Demos and Phobos" |
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| Related terms: | meaning denote | |
| 7. | [ noun ] the act of referring | |
| Synonyms: | consultation | |
| Examples: | "reference to an encyclopedia produced the answer" |
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| Related terms: | action consult | |
| 8. | [ verb ] (writing) refer to for illustration or proof | |
| Synonyms: | cite quote | |
| Examples: | "He said he could quote several instances of this behavior" |
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| Related terms: | write mention writing quote citation | |
| 9. | [ noun ] (writing) a publication (or a passage from a publication) that is referred to | |
| Synonyms: | source | |
| Examples: | "he carried an armful of references back to his desk" "he spent hours looking for the source of that quotation" |
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| Related terms: | publication source | |
| 10. | [ noun ] the relation between a word or phrase and the object or idea it refers to | |
| Examples: | "he argued that reference is a consequence of conditioned reflexes" |
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| Related terms: | meaning denote | |
| Similar spelling: |
referenced reverence reference_to reverenced referent referendum refereeing referential reverent Reverend reprehend re-formed reverently reverential |
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