† refern.
Scottish. Obsolete.
1. A matter referred to a higher authority for consideration.
ΚΠ
1602 in T. Thomson Acts & Proc. Kirk of Scotl. (1845) III. 989 Anent the referris and petitiouns of the Synod of Fyfe givin in to this present Assemblie.
1650 J. Row & J. Row Hist. Kirk Scotl. (1842) 59 [The] Moderator..haveing been absent fra the last Assemblie, and so not acquaint with the referres, did choose assessors to assist him.
1671 Rec. Presbyteries Inverness (S.H.S.) 14 Ye minister..being inquired of the refer of John McIntosh [etc.].
a1700 in Proc. Soc. Antiquaries Scotl. (1893) 27 496 The referries of the brethren of the ministrie of Lanerk.
2. A reference in a book. rare.
ΚΠ
1697 G. Dallas Syst. Stiles i. Ded. Your Lordship will find, that by Referrs from one place to another, it is of Large Extent.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2009; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
referv.
/rᵻˈfəː/, U.S. /rəˈfər/, /riˈfər/ I. To submit or direct a person or thing to another.† 4. transitive. With to. To put (one's trust) in a person. Obsolete. rare.
1. † a. transitive (reflexive). Originally Scottish. To entrust oneself or acquiesce to an authority or authoritative judgement; to appeal to for support, assistance, etc. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > confident hope, trust > trust [verb (reflexive)] > entrust
refer1391
remit1674
the mind > possession > relinquishing > [verb (reflexive)] > hand over
refera1616
1391 in J. Robertson Illustr. Topogr. & Antiq. Aberdeen & Banff (1862) IV. 379 The bischap referris hym to Forbes charter of lymytyng of the meris.
1428 in C. Innes Liber Sancte Marie de Melros (1837) 521 Yf ony evidentis come efter at mycht mak thaim mar knawleg at thai walde referr thaim therto.
c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 36 J..referris me to the grete buke of Troye.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 60 [I] with ane hummble cheir and face Refferis me to the kyngis grace.
a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 581 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 113 Yairfor I end heire Referris me to harraldis to tell ȝow ye hale.
1555 T. Cranmer Let. in Certain Lett. (1556) sig. Bvv I referre me to the iudgment of al indifferent hearers.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie iii. viii. 82 b As for my part I referre me too that which it may be, and will not otherwise assure it to bee true.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iii. ii. 114 I doe referre me to the Oracle: Apollo be my Iudge. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) i. i. 6 His daughter, and the heire of's kingdome..hath referr'd her selfe Vnto a poore, but worthy Gentleman. View more context for this quotation
1642 T. Fuller Holy State ii. xvii. 115 He makes not advantage of his chapmans ignorance, chiefly if referring himself to his honesty.
1729 Bp. J. Butler Serm. Love God i, in Wks. (1874) II. 179 The conclusion of the whole would be, that we should refer ourselves implicitly to him.
1748 S. Richardson Clarissa V. xlvi. 324 I refer myself to your generosity.
1824 W. Scott Redgauntlet I. xi. 254 I refer mysell to God's pleasure, and not to yours.
1852 G. W. Hyer How I became Unitarian xiii. 213 Rites, ceremonies, doctrines, successions,—all refer themselves to her arbitration.
b. intransitive. With to. To have recourse to; to turn or appeal to, consult; esp. to consult a source of information in order to ascertain something.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > advice > give advice [verb (intransitive)] > consult or take advice > refer to a document, etc.
resort1439
refer1574
1574 in C. Rogers Three Sc. Reformers (1874) 10 As to my Insprech..I refer to my wifis aith and vpgeving.
1595 S. Daniel First Fowre Bks. Ciuile Warres ii. xxxiv. sig. H3v Doe but referre to time and to small time, And infinite occasions you shall find.
1605 T. Tymme tr. J. Du Chesne Pract. Chymicall & Hermeticall Physicke i. vii. 26 The dogmatical Physitians..are wont to refer to those qualities.
1662 S. Pepys Diary 13 June (1970) III. 108 Many other things he told me, as how the King was referring to him, and in what a miserable condition his family would be if he should die before he had cleared his accounts.
1712 J. Gay Mohocks iii. 16 We must refer to the Statute Books upon all Occasions.
1798 H. Ellis Hist. & Antiq. Parish St. Leonard 280 For the particulars of houses situate in Blue Anchor-alley, Limehouse, refer to papers in the iron chest in the vestry-room.
1838 H. H. Milman in E. Gibbon Decline & Fall II. xvi. 497/2 The reader may refer to the xiith chapter..of Eusebius for the description and for the scenes of these tortures.
1849 C. Dickens David Copperfield (1850) xvi. 168 ‘Mother will be expecting me,’ he said, referring to a..watch in his pocket.
1894 A. Conan Doyle Mem. Sherlock Holmes 121 On referring to my notes I see that it was on the 14th of April that I received a telegram from Lyons.
1952 S. S. Center Art of Bk. Reading v. 69 Most adult readers dislike to interrupt their reading to refer to a dictionary.
1988 I. Colegate Deceits of Time 10 She had taken copious notes, but had not had to refer to them as often as she had expected to.
2008 T. Orlick In Pursuit of Excellence (ed. 4) x. 130 After a few practice sessions you will be able to do the whole procedure from memory, without referring to the instructions that follow.
2. † c. transitive. To hand over, give, transfer. Obsolete.† d. intransitive. With to and infinitive as complement. To leave a specified action or decision to the discretion of a person or body of people; (also) to suggest a specified course of action to. Also transitive with it. Obsolete.† e. transitive. To commit (a person) to trial or prison. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To submit or pass (a question, cause, or matter) to a higher authority for consideration, decision, execution, etc. Chiefly with to. Also intransitive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > advice > advise [verb (transitive)] > ask advice of or seek counsel from > refer (a matter, etc.) to a higher authority
submitc1449
refer1469
defer1490
reject1533
to put over1573
revoke1599
consult1618
compromise1651
subcommit1652
relegate1846
1469 Acts Parl. Scotl. (1814) 97/2 The hail thre estatis has committit ful power to thir personis underwrittin..to auise commone and refer again to the next parliament or generale consale of thir materis underwrittin.
c1475 (c1450) P. Idley Instr. to his Son (Cambr.) (1935) i. 805 (MED) Be not to enquesetyff of Goddis preve werkis; Referre al suche to doctours and to clerkis.
c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 18 Thare he referrit the fontayne of humanitee, to the will of the fader as him lykit best for mannis hele.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Macc. xi. 36 As concernynge the thinges which he referred vnto the kynge, sende hither some with spede.
1544 in J. Fullarton Rec. Burgh Prestwick (1834) 59 Tomas George desyris..to bruyk..mos and wraik, and raferys to the inquest.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. vi Referryng the whole matter to the iudgement of the same.
1589 T. Nashe To Students in R. Greene Menaphon Epist. sig. Av I had rather referre it, as a disputatiue plea to diuines, than set it downe as a determinate position.
1614 Sir R. Dudley in S. R. Gardiner Fortescue Papers (1871) 8 Referring the recompence to his gratiousnes.
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 248 When they fall out.., they refer their controversie to the next man they meet, who makes them good friends again.
1725 E. Fenton in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey I. i. 510 To heav'n alone Refer the choice to fill the vacant Throne.
1769 W. Robertson Hist. Charles V III. vii. 30 The King referred the matter to the council.
a1822 P. B. Shelley tr. P. Calderon Scenes from Magico Prodigioso in Posthumous Poems (1824) 374 And thus to me..You may refer the merits of the case.
1853 T. I. Wharton Digest Cases Pennsylvania 113 An attorney's agreement to refer binds his client.
1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) I. Introd. 44 Socrates proposes at last to refer the question to some older person.
1925 F. S. Fitzgerald Great Gatsby ix. 197 From the moment I telephoned the news of the catastrophe to West Egg village, every surmise about him, and every practical question, was referred to me.
1983 R. Burns Avenging Angel 104 But refer all questions to me. I don't want anything coming down like all that crap in Atlanta.
1991 Industr. Law Jrnl. 293 The court could quickly be deprived of jurisdiction by one party referring the dispute, but that did not alter the situation actually before the court.
b. transitive. Scots Law. To submit (a fact at issue) to proof by the oath of the opposing party in a case (esp. of debt); (also) to appeal to (the oath of a party) in this way. Usually with to. Also intransitive. Now historical.This process was abolished in 1995 by the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act, c. 7 §11.
ΚΠ
1479 in T. Thomson Acts Lords Auditors (1839) 4/2 As he grantit befor the lordis in his aith referrit be the said Nichol to him.
1531 Wigtown Burgh Court Rec. f. 243 Thai raferryt it to Patte Locart..ath geyf the kyrtyll was hyre avyne propyr geyr.
1579–81 Reg. Privy Council Scotl. II. 254 [The amount owing] wes referrit..to the said Petiris aith.
1681 J. Dalrymple Inst. Law Scotl. iv. xliv. §14 Where in any Affair, a Party who Referrs to Oath, pitches upon Particulars sufficient to Infer the Conclusion.
1703 W. M. Morison Decisions 13205 By and attour the sums contained in these receipts, which, with other articles, he refers to oath.
1752 A. McDouall Inst. Laws Scotl. II. iv. xxxii. 655 In an action where..the pursuer refers his libel or declaration to the defender's oath.
1797 Encycl. Brit. IX. 724/1 Crimes cannot, like debts, be referred to the defender's oath.
1853 Act 16 Vict. c. 20 §5 It shall not be competent..to refer the cause or any part of it to his oath.
1896 W. K. Morton Man. Law Scotl. 474 Where a party fails to prove his case either by writing or by witnesses, he has still the right to refer the question in dispute to the oath of the other party.
1930 Encycl. Laws Scotl. X. 396 A reference to oath,..when the party whose oath is referred has appeared and deponed, forms a judicial contract between the parties.
1975 Session Cases 318 The Defender refers to the oath of the Pursuers.
1993 Session Cases 440 The issue as to whether or not there was such an agreement is not proposed to be referred to the oath of either of the defenders.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > relinquishing > relinquish or give up [verb (transitive)] > hand over to another
i-taechec888
outreacheOE
sellc950
beteacha1000
areachc1000
turnc1175
handsellc1225
betakec1250
deliverc1300
beken1330
yielda1382
disposec1384
resigna1387
livera1400
to turn overa1425
deputea1440
overgive1444
quit?c1450
surrend1450
surrender1466
renderc1480
to give over1483
despose1485
refer1547
to pass over1560
to set over1585
behight1590
tip1610
consign1632
delegate1633
skink1637
to hand over1644
delate1651
to turn off1667
to turn in1822
1547 in A. I. Cameron Sc. Corr. Mary of Lorraine (1927) 207 Refarring credens to thir beraris quha will awertes me of yowr gracis miend.
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads xxiv. 111 Juno did receive Her entry with a cup of gold, in which she drank to her,..and the cup did to her hand refer.
1661 in L. B. Taylor Aberdeen Council Lett. (1954) IV. 130 I have no much for to wrett bot quhat I referre to the bearer.
1705 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1886) II. 83 It is order'd in Councell that to encourage a horse race to be run at ye Waterside, tenne guineas be referr'd to Mr. Mayr for one year.
1785 Jrnl. Senate of State N.Y. 8 Mr. Duane, from the Committee to whom was referred the papers relative to Indian affairs, presented a report.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > suggestion, proposal > make a suggestion [verb (intransitive)]
motion1509
refer1572
propound1598
dogmatize1613
suggesta1616
spitball1955
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] > leave to another to deal with > refer to another to deal with
remit?a1425
refer1572
relegate1847
1572 J. Whitgift Answere to Admon. sig. Kkivv I referre to the wise and discrete reader to iudge, when he hath perused it.
1587 J. Hooker Chron. Ireland 162/2 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II The lord iustice sent his letters..to the earle of Desmond, for his repaire vnto him,..referring vnto him to come either to Cashell or to Limerike.
1620 tr. G. Boccaccio Decameron I. i. vii. f. 23v Putting plenty of Crownes in his purse, hee referd it to his owne choise to depart, or dwell there still with him.
1652 Z. Boyd in Munimenta Alme Univ. Glasguensis (1854) I. 309 Referring to the said revisers to mak choose of such of my works.
a1675 B. Whitelocke Memorials Eng. Affairs (1682) anno 1645 159/1 The House referred to the Committee of the Army to audit their arrears.
1703 Ld. Granville in London Gaz. No. 3951/2 I refer to my Vice-Warden to lay before you the present State of the Stannaries.
1795 Theol. Repository (ed. 3) II. 422 I refer to others to judge.
1818 Eclectic Rev. Oct. 332 He refers it to others to decide about the condemning or justifying the deed.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > arrest > [verb (transitive)] > commit to custody
commit1425
commise1480
commit1569
remand1593
refera1675
mittimus1764
society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > arrest > [verb (transitive)] > commit to custody > commit for trial
reprieve1556
refera1675
fully1846
a1675 B. Whitelocke Memorials Eng. Affairs (1682) anno 1645 154/1 That Lieutenant Colonel Lilburne, was committed by order of the House, and referred to a legal Tryal.
1723 Full & Exact Acct. Tryal Pyrates 34 The Prisoner pleaded Force, and an affidavit made by his Captain appearing to the same purpose, he was referred to Marshalsea.
3. † c. transitive. With to. To direct a reader to a particular source for (an account of something). Obsolete. rare.
a. transitive. With to. To direct the attention of (a person) to a source of information (in earlier use chiefly a book). Also with back.In quot. 1737 intransitive (without to).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > attest, bear witness [verb (transitive)] > bring forward as evidence > from specific source
report1498
refer?1531
society > leisure > the arts > literature > art or occupation of writer or author > be the author of or write (a work) [verb (transitive)] > refer reader to authority
remitc1400
sendc1449
refer?1531
remand1655
relate1657
?1531 J. Frith Disput. Purgatorye iii. sig. i4v As thouchinge this poynte I will referre you vnto a worke that wyllyam Tindale hath writen agenst. M. More, wherin ye shall well perceyve what the church of Christ is, and that his church never determed any such thinge.
1564 P. Moore Hope of Health i. 8. f. Aviiv As for the knowledge of speciall, or particular diffrences of eche parte of euery member, I referre the reader to bookes of Anatomies.
1588 T. Hariot Briefe Rep. Virginia sig. B2(2) For the description, the manner of vsing and the manifolde vertues thereof, I referre you to the booke of Monardus.
1601 Ld. Mountjoy Let. 7 Nov. in F. Moryson Itinerary (1617) ii. ii. ii. 152 Wee beseech your Lordships giue vs leaue to referre you for your information in that point to the Iournall which herewithall we send.
1696 W. Whiston New Theory of Earth ii. 126 I refer the Reader, who desires farther satisfaction, to the Archbishop himself.
1712 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1889) III. 381 I refer'd him to the Decem Scriptores.
1737 D. Waterland Rev. Doctr. Eucharist 413 For the avoiding of prolixity, I choose rather to refer, than to repeat.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. xi. 109 My wife..referred her to all the neighbours for a character.
1838 C. Dickens Oliver Twist II. xxxii. 231 The hostler..after hearing all he had to say again, referred him to the landlord.
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) I. 352 I will refer you to a witness who is worthy of credit.
1934 G. B. Shaw On the Rocks (new ed.) ii, in Too True to be Good 267 I must really refer you back to him for further consideration and report.
1983 J. Updike Hugging Shore 135 He haughtily refers his newly acquired American publisher..to Who's Who for biographical information.
b. transitive. With to. To draw the attention of (a person) to a fact, event, etc. Also with back.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > pointing out > point out [verb (transitive)] > to a person
refer1549
to put on to ——1846
1549 J. Ponet Def. Mariage Priestes sig. Evv Afterwarde whan he [sc. St Paul] had wyshed all men to be as he is, in continent he referreth them al again to this exception, that is to saye, to the will and pleasure of god.
1578 J. Banister Hist. Man i. f. 3v For familiar example sake, I referre you to the beholdyng of the Articulation of Talus, with the botelike bone.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) i. v. 8 These weyward Sisters saluted me, and referr'd me to the comming on of time. View more context for this quotation
1684 T. Burnet Theory of Earth i. iii. 19 Those..causes in Nature..the Divine Historian refers us to, and not to any productions out of nothing.
1759 S. Johnson Rasselas II. xlvii. 158 If this conviction cannot be opposed but by referring us to something that we know not, we have all the evidence that human intellect can admit.
1854 C. Dickens in Househ. Words 7 Jan. 442/2 We may refer him back to his desk, and recommend him to try his fortune a second time.
1864 D. G. Mitchell Seven Stories 271 I wrote De Courcy that very day, referring him to the paragraph I had read.
1957 H. E. Barnes tr. J.-P. Sartre Being & Nothingness III. iii. 413 The very existence of this grammatical form [sc. the word we] necessarily refers us to a real experience of the Mitsein.
2004 J. Joseph & J. M. Roberts Realism, Disc. & Deconstruction v. xi. 209 We can perhaps, now, provide an answer to Derrida's question about resistance to deconstruction. An answer that would refer him back to some of his own formulations.
ΚΠ
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 36 I referre the description of their [sc. the Banians'] Religion to a Booke late written by Master Lord a Preacher to the Merchants in Surat.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > belief, trust, confidence > have confidence in, trust [verb (transitive)] > place trust
stretchc1000
repose1538
refer1594
give1599
1594 W. West Symbolæogr.: 2nd Pt. ii. Chancerie §85 Your said orator then referring especiall trust and confidence to the said J. T. and A. L.
1731 J. Warne Remonstr. address'd to Clergy 68 It [sc. Human Virtue] answers a good Purpose, if it convinces a Man's own Conscience, that he has prudently had Recourse, and referr'd his Trust to an effectual Redeemer.
5. transitive. Medicine. To send or direct (a patient) to a medical specialist or to a specialist hospital, clinic, etc. Also occasionally intransitive. Frequently in passive. Cf. referral n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > art or science of medicine > practice of healing art > practise the healing art [verb (transitive)] > put under physician's care
physician1825
refer1827
1827 N. Amer. Med. & Surg. Jrnl. 4 207 A patient..was referred to my charge, during a delirium tremens of extreme violence.
1897 Lancet 27 Nov. 1380/1 The patient was referred to me by Dr. Frederick McCann and came under my care on March 9th, 1896.
1973 Guardian 9 Mar. 13/2 The slum Doctor round the corner who never examines his patients before referring them.
1986 in R. Cameron Portage x. 151 [Professionals] may provide treatment; they may refer or they may work cooperatively.
2000 U.S. News & World Rep. 24 July 5/2 I have been referred by my family doctor at varying times to a rheumatologist, an orthopedist, several physical therapists, and a psychologist.
2007 Express (Nexis) 12 June 32 I was referred to Moorfields Eye Hospital and diagnosed with dry eye syndrome.
II. To relate one thing to another.
6.
a. transitive. To trace back or attribute (something) to a person or thing as the ultimate cause or source.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > source or origin > originate or be a source of [verb (transitive)] > attribute to an author or source
refera1398
reducec1454
father?1499
entitle1550
intitule1559
foist1598
attribute1599
mother1645
authoridate1652
accredit1864
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add.) f. 326 Alle membres comeþ of oon as of þe heed & welle and to him alle þinges beþ referred [L. referuntur] as to þe chief ende.
?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) v. pr. iii. l. 4578 Þan folweþ it þat oure vices ben refferred to þe mak[er]e of alle good.
c1475 ( Surg. Treat. in MS Wellcome 564 f. 113v (MED) Y schal in parti declaren þat raþere diffiniscioun..bi cause þat it may be referrid to þis cause.
a1500 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi (Trin. Dublin) (1893) 17 (MED) He ascriueþ to no man eny good þinge, but holy referriþ all þynges to god.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. clxxvi. f. cii They..hadde, nat therfore gyuen due thanke vnto god, But referred it to theyr owne strengthes and vertue.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection ii. sig. Liiiiv Rest nat to moche therto, but referre al to the gyuer.
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 70 To..Gathel thay refer our hail stock, and him to be author of our hail natione.
1611 Bible (King James) Ecclus. Prol. (margin) Some referre this Prologue to Athanasius, because it is found in his Synopsis.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica 366 While we referre it unto the Moon, we give some satisfaction for the Ocean, but no generall salve for Creeks, and Seas which know no floud. View more context for this quotation
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Pentachord The Invention of the Pentachord is referr'd to the Scythians.
1760 C. Lennox Lady's Museum No. 9. 694 It is necessary so to qualify them [sc. commendations] as to keep clear of exaggeration or flattery, referring every good to God, as the only source thereof.
1841 M. R. Mitford in A. G. L'Estrange Life M. R. Mitford (1870) III. viii. 129 It seems impossible to refer all these well-attested stories to imposition.
1871 J. S. Blackie Four Phases Morals i. 9 The God to whom he habitually referred his highest inspirations.
1902 W. James Varieties Relig. Experience xix. 475 When we see all things in God, and refer all things to him, we read in common matters superior expressions of meaning.
1920 D. H. Lawrence Women in Love xvi. 220 Everything must be referred back to her, to Woman, the Great Mother of everything.
1989 S. Shirley tr. B. Spinoza Tractatus Theologico-politicus i. 60 The Jews never make mention of intermediate or particular causes nor pay any heed to them, but..refer everything to God.
b. transitive. In passive. Medicine. Of pain: to be attributed to a site, esp. (in later use) a site distant from its real origin; to be transmitted from the site of origin to or into another site. Cf. referred adj. 2.
ΚΠ
1743 tr. J. Astruc Treat. All Dis. Incident to Women xiii. 176 From these you distinguish it [sc. inflammation of the uterus], in general, by the Place to which the Pain is referred; for it is more superficial in the Inflammation of the Bladder, as if it were in the Integuments; but very profound..in that of the Rectum.
1788 J. Pearson Princ. Surg. v. 95 The seat of the pain is referred to a little below the region of the Kidney.
1824 Edinb. Med. & Surg. Jrnl. 22 221 In another case, of less duration, the pain was referred to the situation of the caput coli.
1876 C. S. Tomes Man. Dental Anat. 39 Pain..is often referred to the point of emergence of a nerve, as..in supra-orbital neuralgia.
1923 E. W. Hope Industr. Hygiene & Med. viii. 516 A peculiar trade affection known as ‘twister's cramp’, the symptoms of which are pain, usually referred to the base of the thumb, tenderness of the muscles, and sometimes swelling at the base of the thumb.
1949 H. Bailey Demonstr. Physical Signs Clin. Surg. (ed. 11) xxi. 246 Occasionally pain associated with a lesion of one kidney is referred to the contralateral side.
2001 Men's Health May 76/1 The pain is ‘referred’—or passed down the line—from another muscle or tendon.
7. † b. transitive. With here, hither, there, thither. Obsolete.† c. transitive. With among, into. To place in a category or class; to classify. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To regard or classify as naturally belonging or relating to (also †unto). Now chiefly Science.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > memory > retrospection, reminiscence > look back on [verb (transitive)]
refera1398
to look back1579
review1597
retrospect1664
retrace1686
to take back1796
reverie1961
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add.) f. 9 Þese fyue nociouns beþ j-clepid..relaciones, for þerby þe persones beþ referred vnto oþir.
?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) iii. pr. ii. l. 1798 Now am I redy to referen [L. referantur] þe goodes of þe body to þise forseide þinges.
c1452 J. Capgrave Treat. Augustine Orders in J. J. Munro Capgrave's Lives St. Augustine & St. Gilbert (1910) 145 We wil..open þese Hebrew names of þese xij tribus, and referr hem to dyuers religions whech lyue vndir Seynt Austyn reule.
a1500 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi (Trin. Dublin) (1893) 109 (MED) What euere of gode þinge þei fynde in creatures, all þat þey referre to þe preising [L. ad laudem referunt] of her maker.
a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 11 Thys law [of nature] ys the ground & end of the other, to the wych hyt must ever be referryd.
1597 J. Gerard Herball i. xviii. 24 Their nature and vertues are to be referred vnto Dogs grasse.
1648 Bp. J. Wilkins Math. Magick i. i. 2 To the second [study] may be referred all that Knowledge which concerns the Frame of this great Universe.
1697 tr. F. Burgersdijck Monitio Logica i. xxii. 91 Those which..are said to be of the Opposites, or in any other manner are referred to them.
1739 D. Hume Treat. Human Nature I. i. §vi. 36 The particular qualities, which form a substance, are commonly refer'd to an unknown something, in which they are supposed to inhere.
1789 J. Bentham Introd. Princ. Morals & Legisl. xvi. 230 The offence of with-holding them may be referred to the class of offences against condition.
1814 J. Playfair Outl. Nat. Philos. II. ii. iii. 267 Let S be the Sun..and P and P′ two planets referred to the plane of the ecliptic.
1860 J. Curtis Farm Insects viii. 241 (note) I should not have referred my insect to Nees's genus had not Mr. Haliday..been satisfied of their identity.
1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 32 You went wrong when you referred all legislation to a part of virtue, and to an inferior part.
1968 Science 4 Oct. 119/3 The Australian forms..have recently been referred to the phylum Annelida.
1993 E. N. K. Clarkson Invertebr. Palaeontol. & Evol. (ed. 3) ix. 266/2 The oldest known cidaroids, other than possibly some Silurian forms represented only by spines which have been referred to this group, belong to Family Archaeocidaridae (U. Dev.–Perm.).
ΚΠ
1538 R. Taverner tr. Erasmus Sarcerius Common Places of Script. f. cxlvi To be short all ye workis of sayntis ought to be referred hither.
1550 R. Sherry Treatise iii Referre hither Cosmographie and Geographie.
1605 W. Camden Remaines i. 34 Hither also may be referred that [name] of Claudius Rutilius.
1655 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. I. i. 12 Hither we must likewise referre what is cited under his name by the same Stobæus.
1715 tr. D. Gregory Elements Astron. I. i. §33. 65 And the Place of the Sun..will be there,..for there the Eye plac'd in the Center of the Earth refers it.
1830 J. Lindley Introd. Nat. Syst. Bot. 49 Adoxa,..which is always referred here, appears to me far more anomalous than Parnassia.
1860 Trans. Acad. Sci. St. Louis 1 142 If..the oleraceous type requires to be referred thither, the connection is no doubt afforded by Halorago-Thelygonoids.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > put in (proper) order [verb (transitive)] > reduce to order > systematize > integrate into a system
refer1559
structure1952
1559 P. Morwyng tr. C. Gesner Treasure of Euonymus 187 We will referre amongste the trimmyng waters also, those waters wherwith whelkes and litle Pushes or Biles in the face, are made hoale.
1577 M. Hanmer tr. Bp. Eusebius in Aunc. Eccl. Hist. viii. xiv. 153 Constantinus..was first referred of them into ye number of the Gods.
1633 P. Fletcher Elisa 128 in Purple Island He lives in heav'n, among the saints referred.
1679 Bp. T. Barlow Popery 67 I should be very glad..to see our present Conspirators (according to their merit) referr'd into their Calendar amongst such Martyrs.
1736 J. Serces Popery Enemy to Script. 87 They [sc. the Council of Trent] import, First, That Marriage is to be referred among the Sacraments of the Christian Church.
1778 C. Erskine tr. H. D. Gaubius Inst. Medicinal Pathol. 23 The whole disease, together with its cause and effects, can be referred among accidental circumstances.
d. transitive. To assign to a particular place or time period. Chiefly Science in later use.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > command > command or bidding > command [verb (transitive)] > ordain, prescribe, or appoint
asetc885
teachc897
deemc900
ashapea1000
i-demeOE
setc1000
shiftc1000
stevenOE
redeOE
willOE
lookc1175
showc1175
stablea1300
devise1303
terminea1325
shapec1330
stightlea1375
determinec1384
judgea1387
sign1389
assize1393
statute1397
commanda1400
decree1399
yarka1400
writec1405
decreetc1425
rule1447
stallc1460
constitute1481
assignc1485
institute1485
prescribec1487
constitue1489
destinate1490
to lay down1493
make?a1513
call1523
plant1529
allot1532
stint1533
determ1535
appointa1538
destinec1540
prescrive1552
lot1560
fore-appoint1561
nominate1564
to set down1576
refer1590
sort1592
doom1594
fit1600
dictate1606
determinate1636
inordera1641
state1647
fix1660
direct1816
1590 H. Broughton tr. M. Beroald Short View Persian Monarchie 3 The death of Darius the last King of the Persians, the prophane Historie referres to the first yeare of the hundred & thirteenth Olympiade.
a1604 M. Hanmer Chron. Ireland 85 in J. Ware Two Hist. Ireland (1633) Stanihurst in his description of Ireland, referreth it to the yeere 155.
1694 J. Clark tr. F. M. van Helmont Seder Olam 186 To what time is the killing of the two Witnesses, and their Resurrection to be Referred?
1724 J. Henley et al. tr. Pliny the Younger Epist. & Panegyrick I. p. v He [sc. Pliny] is styl'd in the same a decemvir, so that his bearing that Office likewise must be referr'd to this Period.
1788 J. Priestley Lect. Hist. iv. xvii. 148 A person thus prepared will be able to refer any particular history he takes up to its proper place in universal history.
1828 J. Abercrombie Pathol. Res. Dis. Brain 311 An obscure affection, referred chiefly to the stomach.
1863 C. Lyell Geol. Evid. Antiq. Man 26 In a few of the most modern lake-dwellings..(which the antiquaries refer to the sixth century).
1910 Encycl. Brit. I. 308/1 The oldest rocks which have yet been identified [1] in Afghanistan occur along the axis of the main watershed, and have been referred to the Carboniferous.
1998 J. A. Holman Pleistocene Amphibians & Reptiles in Brit. & Europe 187 This site has been questionably referred to the Pleistocene.
8.
a. transitive. With to. To apply (a word, statement, etc.) to. Chiefly in passive. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > semantics > reference > refer [verb (transitive)]
refera1398
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add.) f. 16v As he may take discrete, þat is referred to þe differens of archangels and angels.
c1475 ( Surg. Treat. in MS Wellcome 564 f. 75 (MED) Þou schalt vndirstonde þat al þat is seid of boonys in þis doctrine, it mai be referrid indifferentliche to alle boonys of þe body.
a1500 (c1410) Dives & Pauper (Hunterian) (1976) i. 89 (MED) Sumtyme we spekyn to þe cros as to Crist..Sumtyme..of þe cros only þat he heng vpon..so oon woord is referryd to dyuerse thynggys.
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1928) v. 28 The latyn worde whiche that is referred Unto a thynge whiche is substancyall For a nowne substantyue is well auerred.
1553 T. Wilson Arte of Rhetorique 93 When a woorde hath a proper signification of the owne, & beyng referred to an other thyng, hath an other meanyng, the Grecians call it Metonymia.
1664 H. More Modest Enq. Myst. Iniquity v. 13 Εἴδωλον is to be referred also to those things that are not carved Images.
1690 J. Locke Past Masters xvii. 485 No one has the authority to determine the signification of the word gold (as referred to such a body existing in nature) more to one collection of ideas to be found in that body than to another.
1706 R. Gardiner Doctr. of Demurrers 63 The Court said the Word antebac, might well be referred to the former possession of the Crown.
1778 J. Beattie Let. to Rev. H. Blair 21 The words in midst thereof occasion no ambiguity as they stand in the prose translation; but, in the stanza, one cannot readily discover their meaning. They may be referred to Zion, or to the streams.
1834 F. Marryat Peter Simple III. xvi. 212 ‘Do you refer that observation to me, Mr. Swinburne?’ said a voice from under the bulwark.
1858 C. Robinson Pract. in Courts of Justice III. xxvi. 120 A husband maintained an action for saying to him, ‘thou and thy wife are both witches and have bewitched my mare’. The word both being referred to each of them, it was considered as if they were severally charged with having committed the offence.
1927 Encycl. Freemasonry (new rev. ed.) II. 641/1 But the word lux was referred to the seed or menstruum of the Red Dragon.
b. transitive. With to. To organize with reference to; to bring into relation with.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > relate to [verb (transitive)] > concern or refer to
beholda1067
atrinea1250
toucha1325
concernc1400
refera1538
to have respect to (formerly also unto)1542
respect1543
import?1560
regard1605
cerna1616
interest1638
a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 14 To thys every man ought to referre al hys actys thoughtys & dedys.
1561 J. Dolman tr. Cicero 5 Questions v. sig. Biiv Howe can a good man do any thing els, then referre al his deedes and thoughtes, to that, whych is commendable?
1609 in T. Thomson Acts & Proc. Kirk of Scotl. (1845) III. 1072 Which claws of necessity must be referred, either to matters that stand in controversy before that Assemblie..or else to matters called..in controversy before the same.
1693 W. Wotton tr. L. E. Du Pin New Hist. Eccl. Writers (ed. 2) I. 180 He layeth down, in the second place, his usual Rule, That every thing ought to be referred to Charity.
1723 T. Bradbury 28 Serm. xxiii. 330 There is an Imperfection in every Believer, and their Actions must be referred to a higher Rule.
1795 W. Paley View Evidences Christianity (ed. 3) II. ii. ii. 27 We refer actions to rules, and rules to public happiness.
1830 J. Payne Compend. Expos. Jacotot's Syst. Educ. 31 The practice of referring every thing to the first thing learned, can, as will be seen directly, even at this initiatory stage, be brought into operation.
1862 B. Brodie Psychol. Inq. II. ii. 59 He remembers with the greatest ease whatever can be referred to a general rule.
1916 J. Dewey Democracy & Educ. iii. 36 In a shared activity, each person refers what he is doing to what the other is doing and vice versa.
2003 M. J. Henn Parmenides of Elea iv. 54 The infinitive, as dative, functions by referring one thing to another.
9. † b. intransitive. With to. = correspond v. 2. Obsolete. rare.† c. intransitive. With to. To be of consequence or relevance to; to matter to. Obsolete.
a. intransitive. With to. To have reference or relation to; to be concerned with.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > relate or connect [verb (intransitive)] > refer or relate
returna1393
referc1405
regard1525
tend1571
relate1609
reflect1617
advert1765
c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Canon's Yeoman's Tale (Ellesmere) (1875) G. §4. l. 1083 To go to the conclusion That refereth to thy confusion.
1456 in C. Innes & P. Chalmers Liber S. Thome de Aberbrothoc (1856) II. 89 Ande syn passande..sowthe as the march of Kynblathmont gais to the burn refferrand to the stane off the south syde.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 322/1 Refarryng one to another, relatif.
1650 Andrewes's Pattern Catechistical Doctr. (new ed.) i. iv. 99 The whole First Table refers to Godlinesse, Holinesse, Religion.
1678 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. vi. 107 I marked some Terms in Joynery with superiour Letters..intending at the latter end of these Exercises to have explained the Terms those Letters referr'd to.
1701 T. Beverley Grand Apoc. Question 3 To observe what Correspondency of one Phase of Time runs through All, and thereby to be assured how each part refers to another.
1791 E. Burke Appeal New to Old Whigs 46 All such institutions..must originate from their crown, and in all their proceedings must refer to it.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps ii. xxi. 345 My measurements refer to the ice at and near the surface.
1891 E. Peacock Narcissa Brendon I. 314 His words referred to Mildred only.
1921 Daily Colonist (Victoria, Brit. Columbia) 25 Mar. 4/3 The report contains a great array of information referring to the sub-division of logged-off lands and expired timber licences for settlement on the coast.
2004 A. Gottlieb Afterlife is where we come From 319 My point refers to the modern period following the late sixteenth century.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > agree/be in harmony/be congruous [verb (intransitive)] > be consistent
adhere1461
to hang together1553
cohere1598
refer1605
connect1753
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. A2 I thought it more respectiue to make choyce of some oblation, which might..referre to the..excellencie of your individuall person. View more context for this quotation
1640 E. Reynolds Treat. Passions xxxi [This is] the reason why this difference between men nearly referring each to other should work a greater anger between them.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [verb (intransitive)]
reckeOE
recka1250
attainc1374
beforcec1375
pertaina1382
concern1477
import1539
signifya1616
to trench into (unto)1621
to bear (a) (great) state1623
urge1654
relate1655
bulk1672
refer1677
argufy1751
to be no small drinka1774
tell1779
reckon1811
to count for (much, little, nothing, etc.)1857
to stand for something (or nothing)1863
shout1876
count1885
mind1915
rate1926
1677 T. Gale Court of Gentiles: Pt. IV iv. 437 Either because he conceives it no way refers to the whole, if small things are neglected: or, if he thinkes it doth refer, yet..he neglectes it.
1695 G. Ridpath tr. T. Craig Scotland's Soveraignty Asserted xiii. 130 All those Matters if they do any way refer to the Question in hand, are alledged by Holinshed, without any Author, probable Reason, or Likelihood.
10.
a. intransitive. With to. To mention, allude, or make reference to something; (also) to cite as a reference.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > speak [verb (intransitive)] > speak of or mention > refer or allude to
to make relationc1390
refer1557
relate1637
society > communication > indication > pointing out > point out [verb (intransitive)]
to take notice1573
refer1691
1557 R. Edgeworth Serm. very Fruitfull f. cxxiii In whiche (saith Saynt Peter) referring to that he spoke of immediatelye afore in tempore nouissimo, In the last tyme or last day, where he said that the ioyfull inherytance that shall neuer fade nor decaye, is conserued and kepte in store in heauen, [etc.].
1598 R. Barret Theorike & Pract. Mod. Warres v. 153 (margin) Referring to the third and fourth booke.
1660 H. Hammond Alien Aletheuein p. ii I was lately advertised by a judicious and Reverend friend, that it was particularly urged against me, by a Romanist, that I had mistaken, or perverted M. Whites words, which I referr to in one Dispatcher Dispatcht, Chap. III. Sect. 4. p. 279.
1691 T. Hale Acct. New Inventions p. lx Any other Engine..than this I have referred to.
1732 C. Middleton Def. Let. to Dr. Waterland 81 The common Arts and Sciences..are not yet spoken of as new or lately invented, but referred to as things vulgar and of old familiar.
1771 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) II. liv. 238 I take the facts he refers to for granted.
1828 T. B. Macaulay Hallam's Constit. Hist. in Edinb. Rev. Sept. 164 With all deference to the eminent writers to whom we have referred, we may venture to say [etc.].
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. ix. 61 I at length found myself on the peak referred to.
1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) I. 422 He refers to passages of his personal history.
1911 J. R. Swanton Indian Tribes (U.S. Bureau Amer. Ethnol. Bull No. 43) 364 In another place the Opelousa tribe is referred to as having dwindled to 20 persons.
1982 Speculum 57 969 Books and articles are referred to in different form.
1998 M. Friedman & R. D. Friedman Two Lucky People xxiii. 376 I shall have many occasions to refer to him again.
b. intransitive. With to. Of a word, symbol, etc.: to denote, designate; (of a speaker, writer, etc.) to denote or designate something by means of a word, symbol, etc. (frequently with as).
ΚΠ
1648 R. Crashaw Steps to Temple (ed. 2) 34 Awake my glory, soule (if such thou bee And that fair word at all referre to thee).
1725 A. Pope Wks. Shakespear I. Pref. p. xxii Some suspected passages..are degraded to the bottom of the page; with an Asterisk referring to the places of their insertion.
a1732 F. Atterbury Serm. Several Occas. (1734) I. 196 Breaking of Bread: A Phrase, which in the Acts manifestly referrs to the Eucharist.
1772 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 62 282 That species..which he generally refers to as the chimney swallow.
1833 H. Williams Jrnl. 28 Apr. in Early Jrnls. (1961) 309 The natives referred to them as the ware karakia of Satan.
1850 E. C. Otté & H. G. Bohn tr. A. von Humboldt Views of Nature 406 The name Choropampa refers to fossils of the cretaceous formation.
1899 Times 12 May 14/3 She used to refer to him as ‘John’, and called him her ‘cariad’.
1901 P. Giles Short Man. Compar. Philol. (ed. 2) xxxi. 478 The ‘constative’ use of the Greek aorist, which refers to past actions simply as having occurred.
1939 R. G. Collingwood Autobiogr. ix. 102 When I speak of action, I shall be referring to that kind of action.
1949 ‘G. Orwell’ Nineteen Eighty-four App. It was impossible to translate any passage of Oldspeak into Newspeak unless it either referred to some technical process or some very simple everyday action.
2002 E. P. Hoberg & G. J. Klaasen in R. Poulin Parasites in Marine Syst. ii. S11/1 Asterisks refer to events deviating from strict cospeciation.
2008 Computer Weekly 2 Sept. 34/2 The concept is also referred to as ‘crowdsourcing’.
11. transitive. To reduce or return to nothing. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > annihilate or blot out of existence
dilghec897
defacec1386
annul1395
anientec1400
refer?c1400
extinct1484
annihil1490
delete1495
out-terma1500
perspoil1523
extaintc1540
extinguish1555
blot1561
wipe1564
to cut the throat of1565
annihilate1567
dissipatea1575
annihilate1586
nullify1609
nullize1615
expunge1628
nothing1637
null1647
extramund1654
be-nothing1674
erase1728
obliterate1798
simoom1821
to tear to shreds1837
snuff1852
mop1859
to take out1900
napoo1915
naught1958
?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) iii. pr. xi. l. 2816 Either alle thinges ben referred and browht to nowht [L. ad nihilum referuntur], and floteryn with owte gouernour,..or elles [etc.].
12. intransitive. To return to a matter. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > source or origin > originate, derive, or arise [verb (intransitive)] > derive or go back
refer?1406
remount1612
to go back1771
trace1876
stem1937
?1406 T. Hoccleve La Mâle Règle 290 in E. P. Hammond Eng. Verse between Chaucer & Surrey (1927) 64/1 But to my mis reule wole I refeere [rhymes deere, maneere, appeere].
a1413 (c1385) G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde (Pierpont Morgan) (1881) i. l. 266 For I it gan I wil þer-to refere [rhyme matere].
c1475 in Archiv f. das Studium der Neueren Sprachen (1913) 130 310 (MED) To Phebus my wyttes gan referre [rhymes here, conquere].
13. transitive. To bring back (one's thoughts) to mind. Obsolete. rare.
ΚΠ
c1450 ( J. Walton tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Linc. Cathedral 103) 313 (MED) His entent he [sc. the mind] lifteþ vpon lofte, And falleþ after to conclusiouns, Referrynge þan his awne entenciouns, And seeth what þinges will of other sewe, Reprevynge so þe false be þe trewe.
14. transitive. To give back; to restore. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > giving back or restitution > give back [verb (transitive)]
yieldc897
agiveOE
again-setOE
restorec1325
acquitc1330
to pay outa1382
refundc1386
to give againa1400
quita1400
restituec1400
reliver1426
surrend1450
redeliver1490
refer1496
render1513
rebail1539
re-present1564
regive1575
to give backa1586
to turn back1587
relate1590
turn1597
returna1632
to hand back1638
redonate1656
reappropriate1659
re-cede1684
revert1688
replace1776
restitute1885
to kick back1926
1496 Rote or Myrour Consolacyon & Conforte (de Worde) sig. Cvii Wherfore suche as referre & gyue the goodes that they resceyue of our lorde to hym ayen they contynue the floodes of grace.
a1547 Earl of Surrey Poems (1964) 16 And when thys carcas here to earth shalbe refarde, I do bequeth my weried ghost to serve her afterwarde.
1629 F. Quarles Argalus & Parthenia ii. 61 One while his tyred fancy does refer His thoughts to silence.
1670 in J. Meikle Old Session Bk. (1918) 138 [He] haid his band refeired him.
15. transitive. To report, recount, record. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > reporting > report [verb (transitive)]
i-telle971
reckOE
tella1382
brevea1400
reportc1450
recount1477
reapport1486
refera1500
renowna1500
relate1530
informa1533
recommend1533
reaccount1561
re-report1599
yielda1616
delatea1639
narrate1656
bulletin1838
a1500 Let. Alexander l. 272 in Mediaeval Stud. (1979) 41 129 (MED) Al..thei referreden and told to the grete kyng of Macedony.
a1500 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun Oryg. Cron. Scotl. (Nero) v. l. 3764 Rufyn þan, his mediatour,..al þe wordis of Ambrosse He referrit til Theodosse.
1543 ( Chron. J. Hardyng (1812) 98 (MED) He wrought it aye, and no tyme it differed, As chronycles of hym sayde and referred.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 733 King Edward aunswered that..he woulde referre and report the truth to him.
1577 R. Holinshed Hist. Eng. 117/2 in Chron. I In that meane tyme hee buylded a strong Castell,..which some referre to be buylded in his second returne into Wales.
1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar i. §8 So it happened..as she related to her Cousin Elizabeth, and so it happened not to be as she referred to her husband Joseph.
a1825 Prince Robert x, in F. J. Child Eng. & Sc. Pop. Ballads (1886) II. iv. 286/2 With sichin and sabbin and wringing his hands, No message he could refer.
1851 E. B. Browning Casa Guidi Windows i. iv. 10 So keep your stone..To cover up your grave-place and refer The proper titles!
16. transitive. literary. To bring back or recall through reproduction or representation. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > representation > [verb (transitive)]
depaint?c1225
paintc1275
figurec1380
resemblea1393
portraya1398
represent?a1425
impicture1523
portrait1548
shadow1553
to paint forth1558
storize1590
personate1591
limn1593
propound1594
model1604
table1607
semble1610
rendera1616
to paint out1633
person1644
present1649
to figure out1657
historize1668
to fancy out1669
to take off1680
figurate1698
refer1700
display1726
depicture1739
depict1817
actualize1848
1700 J. Dryden tr. Ovid Of Pythagorean Philos. in Fables 523 His Tail in Circles toss'd Refers the Limbs his backward Father lost.
1727 A. Pope et al. Περι Βαθους: Art of Sinking 44 in J. Swift et al. Misc.: Last Vol. The Figures must be so turn'd, as..to refer exactly the Mold in which they were form'd, in all its Inequalities,..and Distortions.
IV. To set aside or postpone.† 17. = defer v.1 2.† 19. transitive. To carry forward (a sum of money in a ledger). Obsolete. rare.
a. transitive. Originally Scottish. With to, unto, till, until, or infinitive. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (transitive)]
forslowc888
eldc897
forsita940
gele971
lengOE
drilla1300
delayc1300
onfrestc1300
tarryc1320
jornc1330
dretchc1380
defer1382
forbida1387
to put offa1387
to put (also set) (something) in (or on) delaya1393
dilate1399
fordrawa1400
to put overc1410
latch?c1422
adjournc1425
prolongc1425
proloynec1425
rejournc1425
to put in respite1428
sleuthc1430
respitea1450
prorogue1453
refer1466
sleep1470
supersede1482
respectc1487
postpone1496
overseta1500
respett1500
enjourna1513
relong1523
retract1524
tarde1524
track1524
to fode forth1525
tract1527
protract1528
further1529
to make stay of1530
surcease1530
prorogate1534
to fay upon longc1540
linger1543
retard?1543
slake1544
procrastine1548
reprieve1548
remit1550
suspense1556
leave1559
shiftc1562
suspend1566
procrastinate1569
dally1574
post1577
to hold off1580
drift1584
loiter1589
postpose1598
to take one's (own) timea1602
flag1602
slug1605
elong1610
belay1613
demur1613
tardya1616
to hang up1623
frist1637
disjourn1642
future1642
off1642
waive1653
superannuate1655
perendinate1656
stave1664
detard1675
remora1686
to put back1718
withhold1726
protract1737
to keep over1847
to hold over1853
laten1860
to lay over1885
hold1891
back-burner1975
1466 Acts Parl. Scotl. (1814) II. 85/1 The lordis referris thir materis to the hame cumming of certane lordis now beande in Inglande.
1484–5 in W. Chambers Charters Burgh Peebles (1872) 30 Referrit be the saidis auditouris to be decydit be ane inqueist in the saide are.
1544 in A. I. Cameron Sc. Corr. Mary of Lorraine (1927) 92 Schaw hir grace this letter be caus I rafarre all maters to yowr vrayting.
1573 P. Moore Almanack B j Hillarie Tearme, beginneth the xxiij of Januarie, if it be not Sundaye, which then is referred untill the next day after.
1586 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. I. 6 They had not the patience to refer the rest of that matter vnto the afternoone.
1642 T. Fuller Holy State v. xvi. 422 Some advised to referre it to another time.
1670 C. Cotton tr. G. Girard Hist. Life Duke of Espernon iii. xii. 645 The Duke..referr'd it till the next morning.
1751 E. Haywood Hist. Betsy Thoughtless IV. iv. 38 She would refer what she had farther to say on these subjects, 'till another opportunity.
1796 W. Burke Adela Northington II. 141 [Wentworth in his letter] refers an explanation until his return to England.
1812 G. A. Thompson Geogr. & Hist. Dict. Amer. & W. Indies II. 519/1 In 1638, articles were drawn up which were referred until 1639.
1865 Rhode Island Rep. 7 530 The question was then referred until December 8th.
b. transitive. Without construction. Obsolete.In quot. 1640: to vote (something) be postponed.
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1596 M. Drayton Mortimeriados sig. S4 Her trembling hand, as in a Feuer shakes, Wherwith the paper doth a little stirre, Which shee imagins, at her sorrow quakes, And pitties it who shee thinks pitties her: And moning it, bids it that greefe refer.
1625 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher King & No King (new ed.) iii. 44 The first is no madder of fighting then I, so that that's referd, the place where it must be ended, is foure daies iourney off.
1640 W. Laud Wks. (1853) III. 290 It came to voting in that House, the first article was denied by eighteen, and referred by eight.
1706 in Hudson's Bay Misc. (1975) 57 I begun this evening to shear my sheep but the alteration of the weather made me refer it.
1734 tr. C. Rollin Anc. Hist. (1827) VIII. xix. ii. 100 One of the five magistrates who refused to refer the debate.
1761 J. Reed Register-office ii. 24 But, Sir, as I am in haste, we had better refer the Dispute at present.
18. transitive. To set aside (a subject, matter for explanation, etc.) from one's current work, esp. to reserve (a topic) for later treatment in the same work. Frequently with to; also with until, infinitive. Now rare.
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the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (transitive)] > for later treatment or consideration
reservec1384
to put in suspense1421
resplait1447
to put in resplait1452
to leave over?c1475
sleep1519
refer1559
suspend1581
seposit1657
pigeonhole1840
shelve1847
table1849
pend1953
society > leisure > the arts > literature > art or occupation of writer or author > be the author of or write (a work) [verb (transitive)] > present by literary treatment > remit treatment of to another place
defera1538
refer1559
1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 43 I will speake nothing of the Water (but referre it until we intreat of Navigation).
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie ii. vii. 37 b I doe referre the description of the sayde Ile.., for that it appertayneth vntoo the seconde tome.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Errata Ceincture de dueil (vnder Ceincture) referred vnto Dueil, where it was forgotten.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 287 I will referre the change of the value of Coynes in the Low-Countries, to the proper place.
1660 tr. I. Barrow Euclide's Elements sig. (∴)4v Other Abbreviations..the Reader will without trouble understand of himself; saving some few, which, being of lesse generall use, we referr to be explained in their own places.
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Lincs. 150 What remaineth concerning Mastiffes is referred to the same Topick in Somersetshire.
1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. i. viii. 148 My Account of this Voyage must be referred to the Second Part of my Travels.
1726 R. Towne Treat. Dis. W.-Indies ii. iii. 83 The Means to be used in Relation to it are referred to the Chapter of Hysterick and Hypochrondriacal Disorders.
1791 A. Highmore Digest of Doctr. Bail 192 This has already been cited in another place. And Must be referred to the chapter on habeas corpus: post.
1815 W. Kirby & W. Spence Introd. Entomol. (1818) I. xii. 404 A description of these, however, which will require a detailed survey, I must refer to another letter.
1887 T. Kirkup Inq. Socialism v. 120 All we can do here is register the claim and refer it for discussion in a subsequent chapter.
1989 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 425 177 We shall not elaborate on this yet rather we refer it to the section dealing with the separation of variable method for the solution of the Kramers equation.
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the world > relative properties > number > arithmetic or algebraic operations > perform arithmetic or algebraic operations [verb (transitive)] > transfer to next column
refer1588
to have (also bear, keep, hold, etc.) in mind1612
carry1657
1588 H. Oldcastle & J. Mellis Briefe Instr. Accompts sig. Fj The rest [= balance] you shall referre and rescribe it in another leafe of the Leager.
20. transitive. To fail (an examination candidate) with provision for re-examination at a later date; to postpone accepting (a thesis submitted for a higher degree) until revisions have been made. Also: to postpone accepting (a formal application for a degree).Not in North American use.
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society > education > educational administration > examination > examine a candidate [verb (transitive)] > pass a candidate > postpone the passing of
refer1907
1907 Practitioner June 795 A student, who should venture to put upon an examination paper what is the only logical outcome of the teaching of text-books, ought, without hesitation, to be referred.
1908 A. S. M. Hutchinson Once aboard Lugger i. i. 32 ‘I had forgotten. Your examination?’.. ‘I failed. I was referred for three months.’
1927 Univ. Oxford Examination Statutes vi. 227 The examiners shall have power..to recommend the Board to refer the Student's application for leave to supplicate back to him in order that he may present himself for re-examination.
1976 Daily Times (Lagos) 3 Nov. 31/2 Twenty-four students drawn from the states and the Armed Forces passed the prescribed test while four students were referred.
2000 A. Dowsing Marriage in our Time vi. 71 Already, I was applying for jobs within reasonable reach of Swansea but when my thesis was referred it did not improve my chances of getting the kind of post I was looking for!
Phrases
Chiefly British. refer to drawer: used by a bank as an instruction on a cheque that cannot be honoured, referring the payee directly to the drawer. Abbreviated RD.
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1875 Times 6 Aug. 5/3 The check was dishonoured, and marked ‘refer to drawer’.
1911 W. Thomson Dict. Banking 440/2 ‘Refer to drawer’, is a milder form of answer than ‘N/S’, ‘not sufficient’.
1971 Reader's Digest Family Guide Law 316/2 A ‘bounced’ cheque is one that is returned to the person who paid it in with the words ‘refer to drawer’ or R/D on it.
2006 Townsville (Queensland) Bull. (Nexis) 20 Dec. 7 Mr Bettison had been arrested..after a woman from whom he had bought a vehicle in Townsville had his cheque returned endorsed ‘refer to drawer’.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2009; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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