1
general::
reference
verbs
make reference to something
• Official reports made no reference to the incident.
phrases
there is a reference to something
• There are 32 references to eagles in the Bible.
adjectives
a specific/direct/explicit reference
(= mentioning something specifically/directly etc )
• No specific reference was made to the race of the children.
an oblique reference
(= not direct )
• He added, in an oblique reference to the US, that ‘some countries could do more’.
a brief reference
• Brief references to the tragedy have appeared in the French press.
a passing reference
(= one that you make while you are talking about something else )
• He made only a passing reference to his injury.
frequent/constant/repeated references
• Medieval literature contains frequent references to insanity.
an occasional reference
• During the interview, he made only occasional references to his forthcoming autobiography.
transnet.ir
2
general::
noun mentioning sb/sth ADJ. extensive | brief, casual, passing | occasional | frequent, repeated | constant | further They could find no further reference to Mr LaMotte in the records. | general | particular, special, specific She won a grant to study political science with special reference to China. | definite | explicit, express | direct | cryptic, indirect, oblique, obscure, veiled | clear, obvious | ambiguous, confusing | early one of the earliest references to the game of chess | biblical, cultural, historical, literary | written VERB + REFERENCE contain, have Her diary contains no reference to the alleged appointment. | drop, make He dropped casual references to the legacy of his great work. The article makes no reference to his first marriage. | drop, omit The new constitution dropped all reference to previous wars. | find PREP. in a/the ~ In an obvious reference to the president, he talked of corruption in high places. | in/with ~ to (written) I am writing with reference to your job application. | ~ (back) to The summary should be comprehensible without reference back to the source work. consulting sb/sth for advice/help/information ADJ. easy, quick The book is organized alphabetically for easy reference. | further, future PREP. by ~ to Our charges are calculated by reference to an hourly rate. | for ~ Retain a copy of the form for future reference. | without ~ to The decision was taken without reference to local managers. PHRASES for reference purposes She needs the book for reference number/note/symbol ADJ. copious | full For full references of all books cited, see Appendix B. | appropriate Please send a full CV, quoting the appropriate reference. | cross-The cross-references refer you to information in other parts of the dictionary. | bibliographic/bibliographical | grid, map VERB + REFERENCE quote | cite, give References to original sources are given at the end of each chapter. REFERENCE + NOUN number PREP. in a/the ~ The date of publication should be included in the reference. | ~ to a reference to page 17 PHRASES a list of references letter about your character/abilities ADJ. glowing | character VERB + REFERENCE ask for | give (sb), provide (sb with), write (sb) | follow up, take up They've taken up my references (= contacted the person who provided the reference), so they must be interested in me. PREP. ~ from a reference from your current employer standards by which sth is judged REFERENCE + NOUN point PHRASES a frame of reference People interpret events within their own frame of reference. | a point of reference Unemployment serves as a useful point of reference in examining social problems. | terms of reference The matter was outside the committee's terms of reference. purposes. | a source of reference The book is an invaluable source of reference for the art historian. book containing facts/information ADJ. general The book is by far the best general reference on natural history. REFERENCE + NOUN book, material, source, work | library | section You'll find the information in the reference section of your local library.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary