The phrase "hath reference" is an archaic construction in modern English meaning "refers to." The word "hath" is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb "have," which was commonly used in Shakespearean English. It is pronounced /hæθ/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with a voiceless dental fricative sound at the end. The spelling of this word reflects its origin in Middle English, where the "th" letter combination represented a voiceless dental fricative sound in many words.
"Hath reference" is an archaic phrase that is no longer commonly used in modern English, but it is still important to understand its meaning in order to grasp the context of historical literature and legal documents. The phrase "hath reference" essentially means to "make a connection" or "relate to." It is derived from the Old English word "hath," which is the third-person singular form of the verb "to have," and "reference," which refers to a mention or citation in relation to something or someone.
When something "hath reference" to another thing or person, it implies that there is a clear connection or correlation between them. It suggests that the subject being discussed, whether it is an idea, object, or individual, can be traced back or attributed to another subject or concept. This phrase is often used in legal contexts, where references are made to specific cases, laws, or statutes to support or clarify a point.
In broader contexts, "hath reference" can also be used in literature to acknowledge the influence of earlier works or to draw connections between different texts. It is a way of indicating that a particular piece of writing is influenced by, or refers to, previous ideas, works, or events.
While less commonly used today, understanding the phrase "hath reference" is crucial to comprehending older texts and appreciating the historical development of the English language.
The phrase "hath reference" is not commonly used in modern English. However, the word "hath" is the archaic third-person singular form of the verb "to have" in Early Modern English, which was used from the late 15th to the late 17th century. The verb "to have" in this form indicates possession or ownership.
The word "reference" comes from the Latin word "referre", which means "to carry back" or "to relate to". It originated from the combination of the prefix "re-" (meaning "back" or "again") and the verb "ferre" (meaning "to carry" or "to bring"). In English, "reference" refers to the act of mentioning, consulting, or alluding to something or someone.