referral
English meaning: Referral
Definition
The act or process of transferring someone or something to another, of sending by reference, or referring.
Example
“The insurance company insists I get a referral from my regular doctor. I can't just go to the specialist; a GP has got to refer me.”
Another example: “You'll need a referral from your GP to see the consultant.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A noun, especially in medicine and business, for the act of directing someone to another professional or service ('a referral to a specialist'), or the person/business so directed. Neutral to formal register.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From 'refer' plus '-al', from Latin 'referre' (to carry back), from 're-' (back) plus 'ferre' (to carry); the noun is early 20th century.
Related Words
- referrals
- gifted
- evaluation
- initiated
- kampala
- longitude
- hospital
- oncology
- coordinates
- latitude
Common Collocations
- a referral to a specialist
- make a referral
- referral letter
- by referral only
- referral fee
- self-referral
Word Forms
refer (v); referred; referring; referral (n); referrals (pl)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B