reference (n.)

In GRAMMATICAL analysis, a term often used to state a relationship of identity which exists between grammatical UNITS, e.g. a PRONOUN refers to a NOUN or noun PHRASE. When the reference is to an earlier part of the DISCOURSE, it may be called back-reference (or ANAPHORA); correspondingly, reference to a later part of the discourse may be called forward-reference (or CATAPHORA). In SWITCH REFERENCE languages, the verb indicates whether the subjects of successive clauses are the same or different.