1 [no object] (refer to) mention or allude to:her mother never referred to him againthe Royal Navy is referred to as the Senior Service
[with object] (refer someone to) direct the attention of someone to:I refer my honourable friend to the reply that I gave some moments ago
(refer to) (of a word, phrase, or symbol) describe or denote; have as a referent:the star refers to items which are intended for the advanced learner
2 [with object] (refer something to) pass a matter to (a higher body) for a decision:the prisoner may require the Secretary of State to refer his case to the Parole Board
(refer someone to) send or direct someone to a medical specialist:she was referred to a clinical psychologist for counselling
[no object] (refer to) read or otherwise use (a source of information) in order to ascertain something; consult:I always refer to a dictionary when I come upon a new word
3 [with object] (refer something to) archaic trace or attribute something to (someone or something) as a cause or source:the God to whom he habitually referred his highest inspirations
regard something as belonging to (a certain period, place, or class):you went wrong when you referred all legislation to a part of virtue
4 [with object] fail (a candidate in an examination):twenty-four students passed the prescribed test while four students were referred
refer to drawer
British a phrase used by banks when suspending payment of a cheque.
