- Refer
- Refer Re*fer", v. i.
1. To have recourse; to apply; to appeal; to betake one's
self; as, to refer to a dictionary.
[1913 Webster]
In suits . . . it is to refer to some friend of trust. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
2. To have relation or reference; to relate; to point; as, the figure refers to a footnote. [1913 Webster]
Of those places that refer to the shutting and opening the abyss, I take notice of that in Job. --Bp. Burnet. [1913 Webster]
3. To carry the mind or thought; to direct attention; as, the preacher referred to the late election. [1913 Webster]
4. To direct inquiry for information or a guarantee of any kind, as in respect to one's integrity, capacity, pecuniary ability, and the like; as, I referred to his employer for the truth of his story. [1913 Webster]
Syn: To allude; advert; suggest; appeal.
Usage: {Refer}, {Allude}, {Advert}. We refer to a thing by specifically and distinctly introducing it into our discourse. We allude to it by introducing it indirectly or indefinitely, as by something collaterally allied to it. We advert to it by turning off somewhat abruptly to consider it more at large. Thus, Macaulay refers to the early condition of England at the opening of his history; he alludes to these statements from time to time; and adverts, in the progress of his work, to various circumstances of peculiar interest, on which for a time he dwells. ``But to do good is . . . that that Solomon chiefly refers to in the text.'' --Sharp. ``This, I doubt not, was that artificial structure here alluded to.'' --T. Burnet. [1913 Webster]
Now to the universal whole advert: The earth regard as of that whole a part. --Blackmore. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.