referentially
|ref-er-en-tial-ly|
/ˌrɛfəˈrɛnʃəli/
(referential)
relating to reference
Etymology
'referential' originates from Latin, specifically from the verb 'referre', where 're-' meant 'back' and 'ferre' meant 'to carry'.
'referential' developed via Late Latin/Medieval Latin forms (e.g. 'referentia', 'referentialis') and entered English through French/Latin-influenced formation; the adverb 'referentially' is formed by adding the adverbial suffix '-ly' to 'referential'.
Initially tied to the Latin sense of 'carrying back' (i.e., bringing something back or reporting), the sense shifted toward 'relating to reference' and now means 'in a manner relating to reference or referents.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adverb 1
in a manner relating to or indicating reference to something (i.e., concerning the referent rather than describing properties).
The term was used referentially to point to a specific object rather than to describe a property.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/20 01:08