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)
Defn: 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.
REFERENDARY
Ref`er*en"da*ry (rf`r*n"d*r), n. Etym: [LL. referendarius, fr. L.
referendus to be referred, gerundive of referre: cf. F. référendaire.
See Refer.]
1. One to whose decision a cause is referred; a referee. [Obs.] Bacon.
2. An officer who delivered the royal answer to petitions. "Referendaries, or masters of request." Harmar.
3. Formerly, an officer of state charged with the duty of procuring and dispatching diplomas and decrees.