Rēf'er-ence, n.

n. [Sp. referencia. See REFER.] 1. The act of referring, or the state of being referred; a directing, delivering, making over, or sending, as for treatment, decision, information, and the like. It passed in England without the least reference hither. Swift. 2. The act of referring or having regard; respect; heed; concern taken. The Christian religion commands sobriety, temperance, and moderation, in reference to our appetites and passions. Tillotson.

3. The act of referring or alluding; allusion; intimation.
4. One who, or that which, is referred to; as, (a.) One of whom inquiries can be made as to the integrity, capacity, and the like, of another. (b.) A passage in a work to which the reader is referred from another passage.
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.