frequently_asked_questions_files/Oxford Thesaurus.pdf

of, note: A footnote refers to the author's article on
netsukes. 2 assign, hand over, pass on or over, send, direct,
commit: I was referred to your office for information about
rates. The question will be referred to committee. 3 Usually,
refer to. look at, use, study, check, consult, resort to, have
recourse to, turn to, appeal to, confer with; talk to, ask,
inquire or enquire of, apply to: For information about words,
you should refer to a dictionary. Refer to the departmental
office for Professor Clarke's address. 4 Usually, refer to.
mean, signify, denote, say: What are you referring to?
reference n. 1 allusion, mention, remark, referral, direction,
indication, specification, naming, quotation, citation, note,
notation, notification, hint, intimation, innuendo, insinuation:
I can't find a reference in any footnote. Few readers make use
of the bibliographical references in scholarly articles. Her
persistent references to my baldness embarrass me. 2 regard,
concern, connection, respect, relation, relevance, pertinence:
People are selected without reference to race, creed, colour,
sex, or age. 3 endorsement, recommendation, testimonial,
certification; credentials: I relied on my former employer to
give me a good reference. We shall not be needing to take up
your references.
refine v. 1 purify, cleanse, clear, clarify, decontaminate: They
continued to refine the liquid till all the impurities were
gone. 2 cultivate, civilize, polish, improve, elevate, perfect:
He is trying to refine his speech by getting rid of his country
accent. 3 hone, sharpen, concentrate, focus, subtilize: We
ought to refine our argument for higher wages before approaching
the management.
refined adj. 1 cultivated, cultured, civilized, polished,
sophisticated, urbane, elegant, well-bred, genteel, courtly,
ladylike, gentlemanly, polite, courteous, mannerly,
well-mannered, gracious, gentle, noble, aristocratic, dignified,
elevated, Colloq posh: It is seldom that I find myself in such
refined company. 2 subtle, discriminating, discerning,
sensitive, fastidious, nice, precise, exacting, cultured,
educated, cultivated, knowledgeable, advanced, sophisticated:
Her taste in the visual arts is fairly refined, but she knows
little about music. 3 exact, precise, fine, subtle, sensitive,
nice, sophisticated: In his poetry one encounters an extremely