Verwysing

Verwysing is an Afrikaans noun meaning reference, citation, cross-reference, or referral. It denotes a pointer to another source of information, a person, or a place. The term is derived from the verb verwys, “to refer,” and is cognate with the Dutch verwijzing.

In scholarly and publishing contexts, a verwysing is a bibliographic reference or citation that enables readers to locate sources or related material. In dictionaries and glossaries, verwysings indicate related terms, usage notes, or etymology. In information systems, a verwysing can be realized as a hyperlink or cross-reference linking related documents or records.

In everyday and administrative language, verwysing also appears as a referral, for example a medical verwysing from a general practitioner to a specialist, or a referral within bureaucratic processes to another agency or service.

Although spelling and usage differ between Afrikaans and Dutch, the underlying concept is the same: a pointer that guides a reader or user to additional information or a different resource.