A reference, or a references point, is the intensional use of one thing, a point of reference or reference state, to indicate something else. When reference is intended, what the reference points to is called the referent.

General Examples

Some general examples are:

  • the name Jane Doe used to identify a particular woman;
  • a traffic sign warning of an upcoming turn-off;
  • a wedding ring indicating a certain kind of relationship; and
  • samples of various musical works being incorporated into a new one.

References may be indicated by sounds (like name), pictures (like roadsigns), text (like bibliographies), indexes (like numbers) and objects (like rings); but a range of other concrete or abstract methods can be used. This included methods that deliberately hide the reference from some observers, as in cryptography.

The following sections give specific usages of reference in different subjects.

Academics and scholarship

In academics and scholarship, an author-title-date information in bibliographies and footnotes, specifying complete works of other people. Copying of material by another author without proper citation or without required permissions is plagiarism.

Keeping a diary allows an individual to use references for personal organization, whether or not anyone else understands the systems of reference used. However, scholars have studied methods of reference because of their key role in communication and co-operation between different people, and also because of misunderstandings that can arise. Modern academic study of reference has been developing since the 19th Century.

From Wikipedia under the GNU Free Documentation License
Sat Sep 5 10:26:02 2009

What is a credit reference in regards to renting an apartment?
Q. I am trying to fill out an apartment rental application and it is asking me for a credit reference. What is this? WHat can I used for a credit reference?
Asked by Kelly K - Fri Sep 4 16:06:05 2009 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments
How can I cross reference an interior paint name or code to another brand?
Q. I prefer to buy BEHR paint but have a color I like from ACE. Is there a way to cross reference the colors without having to go to Home Depot to scan the color?
Asked by CondoCowboy - Sun Feb 3 15:54:41 2008 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. If you like using Home Depot range paints, what is the problem about getting them to mix the color,? I am a contractor and have been asked to produce some weird and wonderfull colors sometimes, Home depot are excellent at creating most colors and you know that you can buy with confidence. As regards to cross reference, you will make hard work of a very easy problem, all stores have their own names of colors and i believe it would be very difficult to call any store with a color reference and say can you make this color for me. Is white really white? Go to Home Depot and purchase their brilliant white ceiling paint, go to a Duron store and purchase their brilliant white ceiling paint, place the two side by side, one will look gray. So… [cont.]
Answered by britishbuilder - Sun Feb 3 16:13:59 2008

How do I reference a movie franchise or series using the Harvard system?
Q. I can find how to reference a tv series or one film, but how do you reference a movie series if you don't refer to any of the individual ones? Such as "the Harry Potter series" or "the Indiana Jones and Mummy franchises." I figured putting the first and last years of production in-text and listing each film in the references, but if anyone knows an easier way please let me know! Cheers.
Asked by adwhite - Sat Aug 29 07:36:42 2009 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Harvard System of Referencing Guide The Harvard system is the most frequently used referencing style at UWE. Despite this, there is no agreed 'standard' for referencing all resources. Remember, references should always be correct, complete and consistent. Titles of books, reports, journals etc. can be italicised or underlined. Whichever you choose, be consistent.
Answered by Pharaoh - Sat Aug 29 08:51:38 2009

From Yahoo Answer Search: "Reference"
Tue Sep 8 07:48:26 2009

OSHA Updates PPE Standards to Reference Consensus Standards - EHS Today
news.google.com
OSHA Updates PPE Standards to Reference Consensus Standards

EHS Today

This final rule is another step in OSHA's efforts to update or remove references to outdated national consensus and industry standards. ...



and more »
Detroit Office of Homeland Security, Mayor's Office and Auctus ... - Reuters
news.google.com
Detroit Office of Homeland Security, Mayor's Office and Auctus ...

Reuters

The Detroit Med-E-Book is an emergency reference guide providing critical information on how to prepare, prevent, respond and recover from emergency ...



and more »
Don't fake your job references - Examiner.com
news.google.com
Don't fake your job references

Examiner.com

It's been 48 hours since the story, Faking Job References for a Price ran on ABCNews.com. And while I posted a comment to the site immediately, ...

Sign Of The Times: People Are Buying Fake References To Land Jobs The Business Insider



all 4 news articles »

From Google News Search: "Reference"
Fri Sep 11 09:28:40 2009

wrns reference jpg
familyrecords.gov.uk
wrns reference jpg
500px x 416px | 46.30kB

[source page]

Transcript From the SHO His Majesty s Naval Base at Inverness

4RudiStor RP5 Reference 15 jpg
ipodstudio.com
4RudiStor RP5 Reference 15 jpg
467px x 700px | 191.50kB

[source page]

RudiStor RP5 Reference 15

Reference twig DK jpg
botit.botany.wisc.edu
Reference twig DK jpg
480px x 640px | 83.60kB

[source page]

Reference twig DK Up one directory

From Yahoo Image Search: "Reference"
Fri Sep 11 08:37:11 2009

Delicious Industries: From the reference box #54
deliciousindustries.blogspot.com
Delicious Industries: From the reference box #54

Delicious Industries

hu, 10 Sep 2009 09:34:00 GM

We are an independent design studio based in Brighton, UK. This is our scrapbook of inspiration and . reference. including design, typography, photography & illustration. For more information get in touch: info [at] deliciousindust​ries.com ...

A Point of Reference : More American Road Trip
wadleighrefdesk.blogspot.com
A Point of Reference : More American Road Trip

Wadleigh Staff

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:14:00 GM

Seventeen days and 7141 miles later, we arrived, a little road weary but thrilled and amazed by all we had seen and by the vastness and beauty of our country. So...what about you? Check it out! Diana, . Reference. ...

The Reference - PIERRE CARDIN 1970 Fashion | Frillr
frillr.com
The Reference - PIERRE CARDIN 1970 Fashion | Frillr

frillr

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:17:37 GM

Fashion | Pierre Cardin | The . Reference. | Womens. pierre cardin 1970 Fashion - The Hair - The Makeup - The Clothes!!! . Love Love Pierre Cardin. frillr's blog | login or register to post comments | email this page | printer friendly ...

From Google Blog Search: "Reference"
Thu Sep 10 09:23:20 2009