Referee
/ˌrɛfəˈriː/noun
An official who makes decisions in a game or dispute; a person who provides a reference.
Did you know?Referee entered English first in law and arbitration, from the idea of a person to whom a matter is referred for final judgment before it ever became a sports official.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
Latin
referre
“To carry back, report, or bring back a matter for consideration.”
Old French
Old French
referer
“To refer or submit a matter to someone else for decision.”
15th Century
English
refer
“To submit to another person's judgment; to direct attention to.”
17th Century
English
referee
“A person to whom a matter is referred for decision, especially in law or arbitration.”
19th Century
English
referee
“An official who enforces the rules in a sport.”