The word 参照 is formed by combining the character 参, which here conveys the meaning of "to consult" or "to refer", with the character 照, which carries the sense of "to illuminate" or "to base on". Together, they create a compound where 参 contributes the action of referring, and 照 adds the notion of doing so in accordance with or in light of something, resulting in the overall meaning "to refer to" or "to consult as a reference".