Pre-reference

noun
1.
an act or instance of referring.
2.
a mention; allusion.
3.
something for which a name or designation stands; denotation.
4.
a direction in a book or writing to some other book, passage, etc.
5.
a book, passage, etc., to which one is directed.
6.
reference mark (def 2).
7.
material contained in a footnote or bibliography, or referred to by a reference mark.
8.
use or recourse for purposes of information:
a library for public reference.
9.
a person to whom one refers for testimony as to one’s character, abilities, etc.
10.
a statement, usually written, as to a person’s character, abilities, etc.
11.
relation, regard, or respect:
all persons, without reference to age.
verb (used with object), referenced, referencing.
12.
to furnish (a book, dissertation, etc.) with references:
Each new volume is thoroughly referenced.
13.
to arrange (notes, data, etc.) for easy reference:
Statistical data is referenced in the glossary.
14.
to refer to:
to reference a file.
noun
1.
the act or an instance of referring
2.
something referred, esp proceedings submitted to a referee in law
3.
a direction of the attention to a passage elsewhere or to another book, document, etc
4.
a book or passage referred to
5.
a mention or allusion: this book contains several references to the Civil War
6.
(philosophy)

the relation between a word, phrase, or symbol and the object or idea to which it refers
the object referred to by an expression Compare sense (sense 12)

7.

a source of information or facts
(as modifier): a reference book, a reference library

8.
a written testimonial regarding one’s character or capabilities
9.
a person referred to for such a testimonial
10.

(foll by to) relation or delimitation, esp to or by membership of a specific class or group; respect or regard: all people, without reference to sex or age
(as modifier): a reference group

11.
point of reference, a fact forming the basis of an evaluation or assessment; criterion
12.
terms of reference, the specific limits of responsibility that determine the activities of an investigating body, etc
verb (transitive)
13.
to furnish or compile a list of references for (an academic thesis, publication, etc)
14.
to make a reference to; refer to: he referenced Chomsky, 1956
preposition
15.
(commerce) with reference to: reference your letter of the 9th inst, re
see: in regard (reference) to