referendum (referendum)

[= G. refe rendum, etc., 5033 or obligatory referendum, it exists in nearly all the cantons. Since 1874 the facultative referendum forms part of the federal constitution: if 8 cantons or 30,000 voters so demand, a federal measure must be submitted to popular vote. referential (ref-e-ren's hal), a. [ Any one might take down a lecture, word for word, for his own referential use. Athenæum , No. 2944, p. 411. referentially (ref-e-ren's hal-i), adv . By way of reference. refermentlt (re-fèr'ment), n . [= It. rifer i mento ; as refer + -ment . ] A reference for decision. There was a refer ment made from his Majesty to my Lord's Grace of Cant., my Lords of Durham and Rochester, and myself, to hear and order a matter of difference in the church of Here ford. Abp . Laud , Diary, Dec. 6, 1624. refer ment2 (rē-fèr-ment'), v . [ = Pg. refer men tar ; as re- + ferment .] I. in trans . To ferment again. Maunder . II. trans . To cause to ferment again. Th' admitted nitre agitates the flood, Revives its fire, and referments the blood. IMG:content-1837.png:[blocks in formation] Shak ., K. John, iv. 2. 11. 3. To purify from what is gro , coarse, debasing, low, vulgar, inelegant, rude, clownish, and the like; make elegant; raise or educate, as the taste; give culture to; polish: as, to re fine the manners, taste, language, style, intellect, or moral feelings. So it more faire accordingly it [beauty] makes, And the gro e matter of this earthly myne Which clotheth it thereafter doth refyne . Spenser , In Honour of Beautie, 1. 47. IMG:content-1838.png:[blocks in formation] matter. IMG:content-1839.png:[blocks in formation]