What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Reference vs Companion - What's the difference?

reference | companion |

As a noun companion is

a friend, acquaintance, or partner; someone with whom one spends time or keeps company.

As a verb companion is

(obsolete) to be a companion to; to attend on; to accompany.

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".

    companion

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A friend, acquaintance, or partner; someone with whom one spends time or keeps company
  • His dog has been his trusted companion for the last five years.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Here are your sons again; and I must lose / Two of the sweetest companions in the world.
  • (dated) A person employed to accompany or travel with another.
  • (nautical) The framework on the quarterdeck of a sailing ship through which daylight entered the cabins below.
  • (nautical) The covering of a hatchway on an upper deck which leads to the companionway; the stairs themselves.
  • (topology) A knot in whose neighborhood another, specified knot meets every meridian disk.
  • (figuratively) A thing or phenomenon that is closely associated with another thing, phenomenon, or person.
  • (astronomy) A celestial object that is associated with another.
  • A knight of the lowest rank in certain orders.
  • a companion of the Bath
  • (obsolete, derogatory) A fellow; a rogue.
  • * 1599 , , III. i. 111:
  • and let us knog our / prains together to be revenge on this same scald, scurvy, / cogging companion ,

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * companionable, uncompanionable * companion hatch * companion ladder * companionship * companionway

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To be a companion to; to attend on; to accompany.
  • (Ruskin)
  • (obsolete) To qualify as a companion; to make equal.
  • * (rfdate) (William Shakespeare)
  • Companion me with my mistress.