noun, verb — 5 senses
UK /ˌɹɛf.əˈɹiː/ · US /ˌɹɛf.əˈɹi/
Etymology From Middle English [Term?], from past participle of Old French referer (“to relate, to refer”), from Latin referre (“to carry back, to report, to notify”); as if refer + -ee, that is, the person to whom something is referred for consideration.
Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports An umpire or judge; an official who makes sure the rules are followed during a game.
A person who settles a dispute.
UK A person who writes a letter of reference or provides a reference by phone call for someone. (In the UK such a person is sometimes, and in the US the person is typically, referred to as a reference.)
An expert who judges the manuscript of an article or book to decide if it should be published.
Etymology From Middle English [Term?], from past participle of Old French referer (“to relate, to refer”), from Latin referre (“to carry back, to report, to notify”); as if refer + -ee, that is, the person to whom something is referred for consideration.
To act as a referee.
Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.