The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Reference \Ref"er*ence\ (r?f"?r-ens), n. [See Refer.]
   1. The act of referring, or the state of being referred; as,
      reference to a chart for guidance.
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   2. That which refers to something; a specific direction of
      the attention; as, a reference in a text-book.
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   3. Relation; regard; respect.
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            Something that hath a reference to my state. --Shak.
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   4. One who, or that which, is referred to. Specifically;
      (a) One of whom inquires can be made as to the integrity,
          capacity, and the like, of another.
      (b) A work, or a passage in a work, to which one is
          referred.
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   5. (Law)
      (a) The act of submitting a matter in dispute to the
          judgment of one or more persons for decision.
      (b) (Equity) The process of sending any matter, for
          inquiry in a cause, to a master or other officer, in
          order that he may ascertain facts and report to the
          court.
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   6. Appeal. [R.] "Make your full reference." --Shak.
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   Reference Bible, a Bible in which brief explanations, and
      references to parallel passages, are printed in the margin
      of the text.
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