refer

(rĭ-fûrˈ)

verb re·ferred, re·fer·ring, re·fers verb, transitive

1. To direct to a source for help or information: referred her to a heart specialist; referred me to his last employer for a recommendation.
2. To assign or attribute to; regard as originated by.
3. To assign to or regard as belonging within a particular kind or class.
4. To submit (a matter in dispute) to an authority for arbitration, decision, or examination.
5. To direct the attention of: refer him to his duties.

verb, intransitive

1. To pertain; concern: questions referring to yesterday's lecture.
2. To make mention or reference.
3. To have recourse; turn: refer to a dictionary.

Related Forms:

• refˈer·a·ble (rĕfˈər-ə-bəl, rĭ-fûrˈ-) adjective

• re·ferˈral noun

• re·ferˈrer noun

Usage Note: It is sometimes believed that the phrase refer back is redundant, since the prefix re- means “back,” but the objection is misplaced. In fact, an expression can refer either to something that has already been mentioned or to something that is yet to be mentioned, and the distinction between refer back and refer ahead may thus be required for clarification. For example, the sentence Jones promised that if he was elected to the council, Harris would be made the council president is ambiguous, because the pronoun he may either refer back or refer ahead. See Usage Notes at allude, redundancy.