Backreference

1 definition found

From Jargon File (4.3.1, 29 Jun 2001) [jargon]:

  backreference n. 1. In a regular expression or pattern match, the text
     which was matched within grouping parentheses 2. The part of the pattern
     which refers back to the matched text. 3. By extension, anything which
     refers back to something which has been seen or discussed before. "When
     you said `she' just now, who were you backreferencing?"