a symbol in text used to refer the reader to a footnote or other information outside of the main text
reference mark in American English
noun
1. Surveying
a permanent mark set at a specific distance in a specific direction from a survey station so as to permit accurate reestablishment of the station
2.
any of various written or printed symbols, as an asterisk (*), dagger (†), or superscript number, used to indicate the presence of further information in a footnote, bibliography, or other text
Word origin
[1855–60]This word is first recorded in the period 1855–60. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: kickoff, lavabo, pickup, pipeline, specialist