Reference \Ref"er*ence\ (r?f"?r-ens), n. [See Refer.]

1. The act of referring, or the state of being referred; as, reference to a chart for quidance.

2. That which refers to something; a specific direction of the attention; as, a reference in a text-book.

3. Relation; regard; respect.

Something that hath a reference to my state. --Shak.

4. One who, or that which, is referred to. Specifically;
   (a) One of whom inquires can be made as to the integrity, capacity, and the like, of another.
   (b) A work, or a passage in a work, to which one is referred.

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.

6. Appeal. [R.]

``Make your full reference.'' --Shak.

Reference Bible, a Bible in which brief explanations, and references to parallel passages, are printed in the margin of the text.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)