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Reference vs Symbol - What's the difference?

reference | symbol |

As a noun symbol is

symbol.

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".

    symbol

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A character or glyph representing an idea, concept or object.
  • $ is the symbol for dollars in the US and some other countries.
    '
  • ' is the octothorpe symbol .
  • ''Chinese people use word symbols for writing.
    The lion is the symbol''' of courage; the lamb is the '''symbol of meekness or patience.
  • Any object, typically material, which is meant to represent another (usually abstract) even if there is no meaningful relationship.
  • The dollar symbol has no relationship to the concept of currency or any related idea.
  • (linguistics) A type of noun whereby the form refers to the same entity independently of the context; a symbol arbitrarily denotes a referent. See also icon and index.
  • A summary of a dogmatic statement of faith.
  • The Apostles, Nicene Creed and the confessional books of Protestantism, such as the Augsburg Confession of Lutheranism are considered symbols .
  • Visible traces or impressions, made using a writing device or tool, that are connected together and/or are slightly separated. Sometimes symbols represent objects or events that occupy space or things that are not physical and do not occupy space.
  • (crystallography) The numerical expression which defines a plane's position relative to the assumed axes.
  • That which is thrown into a common fund; hence, an appointed or accustomed duty.
  • * Jeremy Taylor
  • They do their work in the days of peace and come to pay their symbol in a war or in a plague.
  • Share; allotment.
  • * Jeremy Taylor
  • The persons who are to be judged shall all appear to receive their symbol .

    Derived terms

    * status symbol * typographical symbol

    Verb

  • To symbolize.
  • (Tennyson)

    See also

    * punctuation