{ "term": "reference", "partOfSpeech": "noun", "ox3000": true, "cefr": "b1", "definitions": [ { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "a thing you say or write that mentions somebody/something else; the act of mentioning somebody/something", "sensetop": "reference to somebody/somethingreference to doing something", "cefr": "b1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "She **made** no **reference to** her illness but only to her future plans.", "contextForm": "reference to somebody/something" }, { "text": "the President’s **passing reference to** *(= brief mention of)* the end of the war" }, { "text": "Her book contains many biblical references." }, { "text": "His testimony included references to memos by the company's financial managers." }, { "text": "Study their correspondence and you find only three references to George Washington." }, { "text": "She discreetly avoided any specific reference to religion." }, { "text": "The book is full of references to growing up in India.", "contextForm": "reference to doing something" }, { "text": "There are frequent references in the text to the English Civil War." }, { "text": "He dropped casual references to the legacy of his great work." }, { "text": "Her diary contains no reference to the alleged appointment." }, { "text": "In an obvious reference to the president, he talked of corruption in high places." }, { "text": "The article makes no reference to his first marriage." }, { "text": "The audience didn't get the references to colonialism." }, { "text": "The book is filled with references to God." }, { "text": "The new constitution dropped all reference to previous wars." }, { "text": "They could find no further reference to Mr LaMotte in the records." }, { "text": "a reference to page 17" }, { "text": "one of the earliest references to the game of chess" }, { "text": "He's studying political science with special reference to China." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["extensive", "brief", "casual"], "verb + reference": ["contain", "have", "include"], "preposition": [ "in a/​the reference", "in reference to", "with reference to" ] } }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "the act of looking at something for information", "sensetop": "for referencereference to something", "cefr": "b1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "A copy of the booklet is given to the employee for reference.", "contextForm": "for reference" }, { "text": "Keep the list of numbers near the phone for easy reference." }, { "text": "I wrote down the name of the hotel **for future reference** *(= because it might be useful in the future)*." }, { "text": "The library contains many popular **works of reference** *(= books that contain facts and information)*." }, { "text": "We provided reference materials about our Greek vase collection." }, { "text": "Reference to the guide shows that the word has been used in the latter sense.", "contextForm": "reference to something" }, { "text": "You'll find the information in the reference section of your local library." }, { "text": "The summary should be comprehensible without reference back to the source work." }, { "text": "an online reference tool" }, { "text": "The book is organized alphabetically for easy reference." }, { "text": "She needs the book for reference purposes." }, { "text": "Retain a copy of the form for future reference." }, { "text": "I made a copy of your work, just for my own reference." }, { "text": "Gene frequencies were calculated then compared with the Finnish population as a reference group." }, { "text": "Our charges are calculated by reference to an hourly rate." }, { "text": "The book is an invaluable source of reference for the art historian." }, { "text": "The book is by far the best general reference (= reference book) on natural history." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["general", "comprehensive", "essential"], "reference + noun": ["book", "guide", "manual"] } }, { "senseNumber": 3, "definition": "a number, word or symbol that shows where something is on a map, or where you can find a piece of information", "cefr": "b1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "The map reference is Y4." }, { "text": "It is essential that an accurate grid reference is given." }, { "text": "Please quote your **reference number** when making an enquiry." }, { "text": "Please quote the appropriate reference in your letter." }, { "text": "Please send a full CV, quoting the appropriate reference." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["copious", "full", "appropriate"], "verb + reference": ["quote", "cite", "give"], "reference + noun": ["number"], "preposition": ["in a/​the reference", "reference to"], "phrases": ["a list of references"] } }, { "senseNumber": 4, "definition": "the act of asking somebody for help or advice", "sensetop": "reference (to somebody/something)", "labels": "(formal)", "examples": [ { "text": "The emergency nurse can treat minor injuries without reference to a doctor." }, { "text": "The decision was made without reference to local managers." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["easy", "quick", "further"], "preposition": [ "by reference to", "for reference", "without reference to" ], "phrases": [ "for somebody’s own reference", "for somebody’s personal reference", "for reference purposes" ] } }, { "senseNumber": 5, "definition": "a letter written by somebody who knows you, giving information about your character and abilities, especially to a new employer", "cefr": "b2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "I'm sure she'll give you a good reference." }, { "text": "We will **take up references** *(= contact the people who provided them)* after the interview." }, { "text": "We'll need a reference from your current employer." }, { "text": "She asked him to provide a reference for her." }, { "text": "Dr Kemp had written a reference for her when she left." }, { "text": "He had a number of good character references, including one from a retired policeman." } ], "topics": ["Business", "Working life"], "collocations": { "adjective": ["glowing", "good", "bad"], "verb + reference": ["ask for", "need", "give (somebody)"], "preposition": ["reference from"], "phrases": ["a letter of reference"] } }, { "senseNumber": 6, "definition": "a person who agrees to write a reference, for you, for example when you are applying for a job", "examples": [ { "text": "My previous boss will act as a reference for me." }, { "text": "His former employer agreed to act as a reference for him." } ], "collocations": { "verb + reference": ["act as", "be", "contact"], "preposition": ["reference for"] } }, { "senseNumber": 7, "definition": "a note in a book that tells you where a particular piece of information comes from", "sensetop": "reference to something", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "There is a list of references at the end of each chapter." }, { "text": "For references, see Section D above." }, { "text": "References to previous research are listed in an appendix.", "contextForm": "reference to something" }, { "text": "References to original sources are given at the end of each chapter." }, { "text": "The date of publication should be included in the reference." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["copious", "full", "appropriate"], "verb + reference": ["quote", "cite", "give"], "reference + noun": ["number"], "preposition": ["in a/​the reference", "reference to"], "phrases": ["a list of references"] } }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "used to say what you are talking or writing about", "labels": "(formal)", "examples": [ { "text": "With reference to your letter of July 22…" }, { "text": "I am writing with reference to your job application." } ] } ], "pronunciations": { "uk": [ { "pronunciation": "/ˈrefrəns/", "audio": "re/reference/reference__gb_2.mp3" } ], "us": [ { "pronunciation": "/ˈrefrəns/", "audio": "re/reference/reference__us_1.mp3" } ] }, "wordOrigin": null }