refer

[ ri-fur ]
/ rɪˈfɜr /

verb (used with object), re·ferred, re·fer·ring.

verb (used without object), re·ferred, re·fer·ring.

Origin of refer

1325–75; Middle English referren < Latin referre to bring back, equivalent to re- re- + ferre to bring, bear1

OTHER WORDS FROM refer

Example sentences from the Web for refer

British Dictionary definitions for refer

refer
/ (rɪˈfɜː) /

verb -fers, -ferring or -ferred (often foll by to)

Derived forms of refer

referable (ˈrɛfərəbəl) or referrable (rɪˈfɜːrəbəl), adjective referral, noun referrer, noun

Word Origin for refer

C14: from Latin referre to carry back, from re- + ferre to bear 1

usage for refer

The common practice of adding back to refer is tautologous, since this meaning is already contained in the re- of refer: this refers to (not back to) what has already been said . However, when refer is used in the sense of passing a document or question for further consideration to the person from whom it was received, it may be appropriate to say he referred the matter back