Definition of "dereference" [dereference]

• To obtain the value stored therein in an execution context which interprets that value as the address of a memory location (verb)
• To access the thing to which the pointer points. (verb)

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• "I have finally heard of the '*' syntax being described as the dereference operator."
• "Clearly, some methods of Person might only make sense while that person is in a theatre, and will dereference the theatre pointer."
• "An identity is a person-reference, a pointer that produces a person when you dereference it."