refer

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   think of, regard, or classify under a subsuming principle or with a general group or in relation to another

   This plant can be referred to a known species

2. 2
   verb

   use a name to designate

   Christians refer to the mother of Jesus as the Virgin Mary

3. 3
   verb

   send or direct for treatment, information, or a decision

   refer a patient to a specialist

4. 4
   verb

   be relevant to

   There were lots of questions referring to the professor's talk.

5. 5
   verb

   To direct the attention of (someone toward something)

   The shop assistant referred me to the help desk on ground floor.

6. 6
   verb

   To submit to (another person or group) for consideration; to send or direct elsewhere.

   He referred the matter to the principal.

7. 7
   verb

   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.

   He referred the phenomena to electrical disturbances.

8. 8
   verb

   To mention (something); to direct attention (to something)

   To explain the problem, the teacher referred to an example in another textbook.

Etymology

From Middle English referren, from Old French referer, from Latin referre. The noun (used in journalism) is from the verb. Doublet of relate. See also infer, collate and confer, delate and defer, as well as prelate and prefer among others.