1. Make reference to
   "The author referred to several ancient texts";
   - mention, advert [rare], bring up, cite, name
    
2. Be relevant to
   "There were lots of questions referring to her talk";
   - pertain, relate, concern, bear on, touch, touch on, have to do with
    
3. Think of, regard, or classify under a subsuming principle or with a general group or in relation to another
   "This plant can be referred to a known species"
    
4. Send or direct for treatment, information, or a decision
   "refer a patient to a specialist"; "refer a bill to a committee"
    
5. Have as a meaning
   "This symbol refers to infinity";
   - denote
    
6. Use a name to designate
   "Christians refer to the mother of Jesus as the Virgin Mary"
    
7. Seek information from
   "refer to your notes";
   - consult, look up

Derived forms: referred, referring, refers

See also: look

Type of: assort, be known as, call, christen, class, classify, direct, have in mind, intend, know as, mean, name, research, send, separate, signify, sort, sort out, stand for, think of

Encyclopedia: Refer