Where does “reference implementation” come from?

reference implementation (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.

reference implementation (English): A piece of software that implements a...

Definitions

  1. A piece of software that implements a...

Ancestry of “reference implementation”, step by step

reference implementation 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 implementation

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishimplementationThe process of moving an idea from concept to...
2EnglishimplementA tool or instrument for working with; to bring...
3Latinimplēmentumfilling up
4LatinimpleoI fill up, fill full; cover; I satisfy, satiate;...
5Latinīn-un-, non-, not
6Latinînin, at, on, upon, from (space)
7Latinenlookǃ beholdǃ; reallyǃ?; come onǃ
8Proto-Italicenin
9Proto-Indo-Europeanh₁énin
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pr̥tósEvery word from Proto-Indo-European per-Every word from Latin rĕ-