Sens 1 :the selection of somebody or something: the view that one person, object, or
course of action is more desirable than another, or a choice based on such a view.[source : ENC]
reference (nom)
Sens 1 :the act of referring to somebody or something.[source : D'après OAL]
Sens 3 :note, etc. telling a reader in what other book, article, etc. information
may be found; book, passage, etc. referred to in this way or as an authority.[source : OAL]