-fer, -ferous

Translation: "For further consideration"
Ad referendum literally translates as "for referring" and is a diplomatic term: Diplomats who accept a proposal for their governments ad referendum indicate by their actions that final acceptance is dependent on the approval of the diplomats' governments.

The legal phrase ad referendum is also used for assessing damages relating to privately owned land that is taken for public use.

This writ of ad referendum is of ancient origin, and could have been issued as a writ of right when a landowner was dissatisfied with the assessment of damages to his property as a result of a condemnation commission.

Related to carrying inward to a central organ or section; such as, nerves that conduct impulses from the periphery of the body to the brain or spinal cord: Afferent nerves are also known as sensory neurons which emerge from sensory organs and the skin to carry signals from those sensory organs of the body toward the brain and the spinal cord.

1. A permeable underground bed or layer of earth, gravel, or porous stone that holds and yields water: The farmer was fortunate to have an aquifer on his land so he drilled into it carefully in order to install a well.
2. Any geological formation containing or conducting ground water; especially, one that supplies the water for wells, springs, etc.: Alfred and the other geology students from the university prepared a careful study of the aquifers in their geographical region.

The spaces in aquifers are filled with water and consist of sandstones, gravels, and porous limestones that are interconnected, so that water flows through them.

Descriptive of geological constructions which contain gold: Among the prospectors, Jim and Jeff were very happy when they found auriferous rocks in the stream bed of the area.

1. The perimeter or line describing a circle: Mrs. Lori taught her students how to calculate the circumferences of round objects.
2. The distance around the widest part of a boundary area or the periphery enclosing a circular space: Susan and Sally, who were hikers, walked the circumference of the lake and found that it took them two hours to complete their journey.

When Tim and his family were in Southern California during their vacation, they sailed around the entire circumference

1. To consult, to talk over, and to discuss: The teachers, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Jones, were conferring with Mrs. Black, the specialist, in an effort to make mathematics more interesting and easier to accomplish better results for their students.
2. To award, bestow, or to hand out: President Dean of the university conferred an honorary degree to Mayor Stevens in recognition of her support of the university's fund raising efforts.

1. Individuals who participate in or attend meetings with others: John, Jack and eight other conferees met for coffee and snacks before the official activities of the group started.
2. Someone who is given a special honor or recognition: Mrs. Hanson, who was the conferee of this year's award for excellence in teaching, gave a charming speech when the president of the university bestowed the award.

1. A meeting or gathering which is typically focused on a specific topic and that is attended by experts or interested persons: The conference regarding water conservation was held in the historic Inn at Desert Springs.
2. An association or organization of affiliated sports organizations; typically to arrange events: The football team Sam played with was part of the western conference in California, which was scheduling winter games.
3. A gathering or assembly of clergy and interested members of some Protestant churches to determine church policy, review previous policies, etc.: The conference for Adam's church was held every year and dealt with internal matters and proposals for ways to bring more converts into their congregations.

A telephone communication in which someone talks to several people at the same time: When Jill's father was in the hospital, the nurses arranged a conference call for him and his three daughters who lived far away.

The process of giving something (an award, a title, a right, or a degree) to a person or to people: Tomorrow will be the day for conferments of degrees at the university graduation ceremonies.

1. Primarily evergreen trees or shrubs; such as, pines, spruces, and firs: A conifer is a kind of tree that produces cones and long needle-shaped leaves like those that people can see on Christmas trees.
2. Etymology: from Latin conifer, "cone-bearing, bearing conical fruit"; from Latin conus, "a cone, peak of a helmet" + ferre, "to bear, to produce". 

A reference to trees that have leaves that don't fall off in the winter: Coniferous trees have what is known as "evergreen leaves" because they don't fall off like those of other trees and they stay essentially the same throughout summer and the winter.

Some people are familiar with Christmas trees as actually being coniferous trees.

One of a series of exchanges in the process of buying or selling something, and part of a negotiation between the buyer or seller to reach an agreeable price: Although the car was listed at a selling price of $2,000, Linda received an offer of only $1,000; so, she made a counteroffer of $1,500 which was accepted by the bidder.

1. In some Christian churches (particularly in the Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Communion, and Lutherans), a person who is appointed to carry the church's processional cross: The crucifer carries a cross or crucifix with a long staff, during processions at the beginning and at the end of the church services.
2. Plants that don't have a permanent woody stem: Many crucifers are flowering garden plants or potherbs; while some of the others have medicinal properties; and then there are some that can be eaten by humans; including, the cabbages, radishes, turnips, and mustards.

1. Descriptive of the person who carries a cross in a religious procession: The priest was walking from the back of the church with the cruciferous symbol to the alter in front of the congregation of worshipers.
2. Descriptive of various plants in the mustard family (Cruciferae or Brassicaceae): The cruciferous plants include the cauliflower, the cabbage, horseradish, kale, broccoli, and similar green leaf vegetables.

The mustard family takes its alternate cruciferous name (Cruciferae, New Latin for "cross-bearing") from the shape of the flowers, in which four petals resemble a cross.