Re*fer" , v. i. 1. To
have recourse; to apply; to appeal; to betake one's
self; as, to
refer to a dictionary.
In suits . . . it is to refer to some friend of trust.
Bacon. 2. To have relation or reference; to relate; to point; as, the
figure refers to a footnote.
Of those places
that refer to the shutting and opening the abyss, I take notice of that in Job.
Bp. Burnet. 3. To carry the
mind or thought; to direct attention; as, the preacher referred to the late election.
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.
Syn. -- To allude; advert; suggest; appeal. 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.
Now to the universal whole advert:
The earth regard as of
that whole a part.
Blackmore.
Re*fer" (r&esl;*f&etilde;r"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Referred (-f&etilde;rd); p. pr. & vb. n. Referring.]
[F.
référer, L. referre; pref. re- re- + ferre to bear. See
Bear to carry.] 1. To
carry or send back. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
2. Hence: To send or direct away; to send or direct elsewhere, as for treatment, aid, information, decision,
etc.; to make over, or pass
over, to another; as, to refer a student to
an author; to refer a beggar to an officer; to refer a bill to a committee; a court refers a matter of fact to a commissioner for investigation, or
refers a question of law to a superior tribunal.
3. To place in or under by a mental or rational process; to assign to,
as a class,
a cause, source, a motive, reason, or ground of
explanation; as, he referred the phenomena to electrical
disturbances.
To refer one's self, to have recourse; to betake one's self; to make application; to appeal. [Obs.]
I'll refer me to all things
sense.
Shak.
Hear it pronounced