referent
|ref-er-ent|
C1
/ˈrɛfərənt/
object of reference
Etymology
Etymology Information
'referent' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'referens,' where 'referre' meant 'to bring back or report.'
Historical Evolution
'referens' transformed into the English word 'referent' through Middle English.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to bring back or report,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'an object or concept to which a term refers.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an object or concept to which a term refers or denotes.
In the sentence 'The cat is on the mat,' the referent of 'cat' is the actual animal.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/28 01:27