Where does “character reference” come from?

character reference (English) comes from English reference, from Middle French référence, from Medieval Latin referentia, from Latin referēns, from Latin referō, from Latin rĕ-, from Latin prōdūcō, from Latin prō- — passed , crossed.

character reference (English): A statement, concerning the character of a...

Definitions

  1. A statement, concerning the character of a...

Ancestry of “character reference”, step by step

character reference traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English reference

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishreferenceA relationship or relation; A measurement one can...
2Middle Frenchréférence
3Medieval Latinreferentianominative neuter plural of referēns; accusative...
4Latinreferēnsreturning, restoring, repaying
5Latinreferōto bear, bring, drive, or carry back, off, or away
6Latinrĕ-back, backwards
7Latinprōdūcōto lead or bring forth, forward or out
8Latinprō-forward direction, forward movement
9Proto-Italic*pro-pro- see the Latin entry for further meanings
10Proto-Indo-Europeanpro-toward, forward
11Proto-Indo-Europeanpor-to give birth; forward, through; going, passage
12Proto-Indo-Europeanper-before, in front; first; to go through
13Proto-Indo-Europeanpr̥tóspassed , crossed

via English character

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcharacterA being involved in the action of a story; A...
2Middle Englishcaracter
3Old Frenchcaracteremark; sign; indication
4Latincharacterbranding iron; brand; characteristic, mark,...
5Ancient Greekχαρακτήρinstrument used for engraving; person who...
6Ancient Greekχαράσσωto sharpen; to engrave, carve, write, draw, stamp
7Proto-Indo-Europeanǵʰer-to yearn for; to enclose; bowels, intestines
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pr̥tósEvery word from Proto-Indo-European per-Every word from Latin rĕ-