The *(term) for an *(abstraction) of the <em>use</em> of an _(object).

There are various interpretations and _(levels of abstraction|abstraction level) for this concept, including low-level addresses, late-bound addresses (keyed-resolution), and symbolic (lexical) references.

Linear naming refers (sic) to a type of a reference allowed.

In the more common uses of the term, References are "considered harmful"; how objects are or can be used should be well-mannered or finely-controllable.