Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
re·fer
\\ri-ˈfər\\ verb
(re·ferred ; re·fer·ring) ETYMOLOGY Middle English referren, from Anglo-French referer, referir, from Latin referre to bring back, report, refer, from re- + ferre to carry — more at bear
DATE 14th century
transitive verb1.
a.
(1) to think of, regard, or classify within a general category or group
(2) to explain in terms of a general cause
b. to allot to a particular place, stage, or period
c. to regard as coming from or located in a specific area2.
a. to send or direct for treatment, aid, information, or decision
refer a patient to a specialist
refer a bill back to a committee
b. to direct for testimony or guaranty as to character or abilityintransitive verb1.
a. to have relation or connection : relate
b. to direct attention usually by clear and specific mention
no one referred to yesterday's quarrel2. to have recourse : glance briefly
referred frequently to his notes while speaking
•
re·fer·able \\ˈre-f(ə-)rə-bəl, ri-ˈfər-ə-\\
adjective
•
re·fer·rer \\ri-ˈfər-ər\\
noun refer
late 14c., "to trace back, attribute, assign," from O.Fr. referer (14c.), from L. referre "to relate, refer," lit. "to carry back," from re- "back" + ferre "carry" (see infer). Meaning "to commit to some authority for a decision" is from mid-15c.; sense of "to direct (someone) to a book, etc." is from c.1600.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7
☞ referrefer /
ri5fE:(r) /
verb (
-rr-)
PHRASAL VERBS ▪ re'fer to sb / sth (as sth)
to mention or speak about sb / sth
提到；谈及；说起:
The victims were not referred to by name. 没有提到受害人的姓名。
Her mother never referred to him again. 她的母亲再也没有提起过他。
You know who I'm referring to. 你知道我指的是谁。
She always referred to Ben as 'that nice man'. 她总是称本为"那个大好人"。
I promised not to refer to the matter again. 我答应过再也不提这事了。⇨ note at
mention
▪ re'fer to sb / sth1. to describe or be connected to sb / sth
描述；涉及；与…相关:
The star refers to items which are intended for the advanced learner. 标有星号的项目是给高阶学习者的。
The term 'Arts' usually refers to humanities and social sciences. arts 一词通常指人文和社会科学。
This paragraph refers to the events of last year. 这一段说的是去年发生的事。2. to look at sth or ask a person for information
查阅；参考；征询
SYN consult
:
You may refer to your notes if you want. 如果需要,可以查阅笔记。
to refer to a dictionary 查词典▪ re'fer sb / sth to sb / sth
to send sb / sth to sb / sth for help, advice or a decision
将…送交给(以求获得帮助等):
My doctor referred me to a specialist. 我的医生让我去找一位专家诊治。
The case was referred to the Court of Appeal. 这个案子被送交到上诉法院。
(
formal)
May I refer you to my letter of 14 May? 你查看一下我 5 月 14 日给你的信好吗？ Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English
Oxford Collocations dictionary for students of Englishrefer
verb PHRASAL VERBS refer to sb/sth
ADV. briefly, in passing He referred to the report in passing. | specifically | commonly The disease was commonly referred to as ‘the green sickness’. | frequently, often | generally, usually | sometimes | always | never | jokingly
VERB + REFER be used to The term ‘alexia’ is used to refer to any acquired disorder of reading.
PREP. as She always referred to Ben as ‘that nice man’.
Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged
re·fer
\
R rə̇ˈfər, rēˈf-, +
vowel -fər.;
-R -fə̄, +
suffixal vowel -fər.
also -fə̄r, +
vowel in a following word -fər.
or -fə̄
also -fə̄r\
verb
(
referred ;
referred ;
referring ;
refers)
Etymology: Middle English
referren, referen, from Latin
referre, literally, to carry back, from
re- + ferre to carry — more at
bear
transitive verb1.
a. : to think of, regard, or classify under a subsuming principle or with a general group
: explain in terms of a general cause
< the Anthocerotes cannot certainly be referred to this common stock — D.H.Campbell >
< referred the dearth to the Civil War — Katharine F. Gerould >
b. : to allot to a particular place, stage, or period
< legend refers the tying of knots in strings to about 2800 B.C. — Edward Clodd >
c. : to regard as coming from or localized in a certain portion of the body or of space
< visual sensations are referred to external space >
< the pain of appendicitis may be referred to any region of the abdomen — Encyc. Americana >2.
a. : to send or direct for treatment, aid, information, decision
< refer a student to a dictionary >
< refer a bill to a committee >
< refer a patient to a specialist >
b. : to direct for testimony or guaranty as to one's character or ability
< refer an office to a former employer >3. obsolete : to reserve for subsequent discussion
: defer
4. obsolete : to submit or entrust (oneself) for aid or advice
intransitive verb1. obsolete : recur
,
return
2.
a. : to have relation or logical or factual connection
: point
,
relate
< the superscript numerals refer to notes at the foot of the page >
< red pepper may refer to cayenne — J.W.Parry >
b. : to direct attention
: allude
< his remarks referred only indirectly to the opposing party >
< for referring to these familiar facts the excuse is made — Herbert Spencer >3. : to have recourse
: apply
,
appeal
< pausing frequently in his speech to refer to his notes >
< referred to his watch and hurried away >Synonyms: see ascribe
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