refer

Where does the word "refer" come from? It comes from Latin referre, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Refer’s story begins in Latin: referre meant “to carry back, to report.” To carry back, to report, from re- (back) and ferre (to carry). It reached English by 1300s as refer. Settled as the English word for directing attention to something, or mentioning it. Today, refer means to mention or direct attention to something, or to send someone to another source.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient referre "to carry back, to report", to carry back, to report, from re- (back) and ferre (to carry).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s refer "to direct attention to something, or to mention it", settled as the English word for directing attention to something, or mentioning it.