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Hint vs Reference - What's the difference?

hint | reference |

In obsolete terms the difference between hint and reference

is that hint is an opportunity; occasion; fit time while reference is appeal.

As nouns the difference between hint and reference

is that hint is a clue while reference is a relationship or relation ({{term|to}} something).

As verbs the difference between hint and reference

is that hint is to suggest tacitly without a direct statement; to provide a clue while reference is to refer to, to make reference to, to cite.

hint

English

(wikipedia hint)

Noun

(en noun)
  • A clue.
  • A tacit suggestion that avoids a direct statement.
  • A small, barely detectable amount of.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers), title=(A Cuckoo in the Nest)
  • , chapter=2 citation , passage=Mother very rightly resented the slightest hint of condescension. She considered that the exclusiveness of Peter's circle was due not to its distinction, but to the fact that it was an inner Babylon of prodigality and whoredom,
  • Information in a computer-based font that suggests how the outlines of the font's glyphs should be distorted in order to produce, at specific sizes, a visually appealing pixel-based rendering. Also known as hinting .
  • (obsolete) An opportunity; occasion; fit time.
  • * 1610 , , act 1 scene 2
  • I, not remembering how I cried out then, / Will cry it o'er again: it is a hint / That wrings mine eyes to't.

    Synonyms

    * (small amount) see also .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To suggest tacitly without a direct statement; to provide a clue.
  • She hinted at the possibility of a recount of the votes .
  • * {{quote-book, year=1913, author=
  • , title=Lord Stranleigh Abroad , chapter=4 citation , passage=“I have tried, as I hinted , to enlist the co-operation of other capitalists, but experience has taught me that any appeal is futile that does not impinge directly upon cupidity. … .”}}
  • To bring to mind by a slight mention or remote allusion; to suggest in an indirect manner.
  • to hint a suspicion
  • * Alexander Pope
  • Just hint a fault and hesitate dislike.
  • To develop and add hints to a font.
  • The typographer worked all day on hinting her new font so it would look good on computer screens .

    Synonyms

    * allude * imply * insinuate * suggest

    Anagrams

    * ----

    reference

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A relationship or relation ((to) something).
  • *, III.1.3:
  • all these are far more eminent and great, when they shall proceed from a sanctified spirit, that hath a true touch of religion and a reference to God.
  • A measurement one can compare to.
  • Information about a person, provided by someone (a referee) with whom they are well acquainted
  • A reference work.
  • (semantics) A relation between objects in which one object designates, or acts as a means by which to connect to or link to, another object.
  • (academic writing) A short written identification of a previously published work which is used as a source for a text.
  • (academic writing) A previously published written work thus indicated; a source.
  • (programming) An object containing information which refers to data stored elsewhere, as opposed to containing the data itself.
  • (programming, character entity) A special sequence used to represent complex characters in a web page such as ™ or €.
  • (obsolete) appeal
  • * Shakespeare
  • Make your full reference .

    Derived terms

    * * * * * * * *

    See also

    * sense

    Verb

    (referenc)
  • to refer to, to make reference to, to cite
  • Reference the dictionary for word meanings.
  • to mention
  • Usage notes

    * Some authorities object to the use of reference as a verb, preferring "refer to" or "cite".