referee

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun (sports) the chief official (as in boxing or American football) who is expected to ensure fair play
  2. noun someone who reads manuscripts and judges their suitability for publication
  3. noun an attorney appointed by a court to investigate and report on a case

Etymology

From Middle English [Term?], from past participle of Old French referer (“to relate, to refer”), from Latin referre (“to carry back, to report, to notify”); as if refer + -ee, that is, the person to whom something is referred for consideration.

In classic literature

Synonyms

ref

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