English
grid reference
grid + reference
A compound of grid + reference
Proto-Indo-European *bʰer- ‘to bear, carry’
…
Latin referō ‘to carry back; to return, reply’
Latin referēns ‘returning’
Medieval Latin referentia
Middle French référence
English reference
Today it means
noun The point or area on a map described by the numbers or letters indicated.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / grid reference