Answer:
In history, a reference is the act of mentioning or talking about someone or something. For example, "This book contains several references to the Civil War".
Explanation:
Depending on the situation reference can be any of these things.
A person who can be asked for information about someone's character or abilities.
A statement, usually written, about someone's character or abilities A bearing on a matter or relation Something that refers, such as an allusion or mention Something that refers a reader or consulter to another source of information, such as a book or passage. Consultation of sources of information A direction of attention to a passage elsewhere or to another book or document. A book or passage referred to A source of information or facts.