rɪˈfə: v. (referred, referring) (usu. foll. by to) 1 tr. trace or
ascribe (to a
person or
thing as a
cause or source) (referred
their success to their popularity). 2 tr.
consider as belonging (to a
certain date or
place or class). 3 tr.
send on or
direct (a person, or a
question for decision) (the
matter was referred to
arbitration; referred
him to
her previous answer). 4 intr.
make an
appeal or
have recourse to (some
authority or
source of information) (referred to
his notes). 5 tr. send (a person) to a
medical specialist etc. 6 tr. (foll. by
back to) send (a
proposal etc.) back to (a lower
body,
court, etc.). 7 intr. (foll. by to) (of a person speaking) make an
allusion or direct
the hearer's
attention (decided
not to refer to
our other problems). 8 intr. (foll. by to) (of a
statement etc.) have a
particular relation; be directed (this
paragraph refers to the events of last year). 9 tr. (foll. by to)
interpret (a statement) as
being directed to (a particular
context etc.). 10 tr.
fail (a
candidate in an examination). øreferred
pain pain felt in a
part of the body other
than its actual source. refer to
drawer a banker's
note suspending
payment of a
cheque. øøreferable adj. referrer n. [ME f. OF referer f. L referre
carry back (as
RE-, ferre bring)]
