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

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

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

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

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

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