refer

verb (refers, referring, referred)

• 1 [no object] (refer to) mention or allude to:her mother never referred to him again the Royal Navy is referred to as the Senior Service
• [with object] (refer someone to) direct the attention of someone to:I refer my honourable friend to the reply that I gave some moments ago
• (refer to) (of a word, phrase, or symbol) describe or denote; have as a referent:the star refers to items which are intended for the advanced learner

• 2 [with object] (refer something to) pass a matter to (a higher body) for a decision:the prisoner may require the Secretary of State to refer his case to the Parole Board
• (refer someone to) send or direct someone to a medical specialist:she was referred to a clinical psychologist for counselling
• [no object] (refer to) read or otherwise use (a source of information) in order to ascertain something; consult:I always refer to a dictionary when I come upon a new word

• 3 [with object] (refer something to) archaic trace or attribute something to (someone or something) as a cause or source:the God to whom he habitually referred his highest inspirations
• regard something as belonging to (a certain period, place, or class): you went wrong when you referred all legislation to a part of virtue

• 4 [with object] fail (a candidate in an examination): twenty-four students passed the prescribed test while four students were referred