v.
Pronunciation: di- ' f ə r
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: de · ferred ; de · fer · ring
Etymology: Middle English deferren, differren, from Middle French differer, from Latin differre to postpone, be different ― more at DIFFER
Date: 14th century
1 : PUT OFF , DELAY
2 : to postpone induction of (a person) into military service
– de · fer · rer noun
synonyms DEFER , POSTPONE , SUSPEND , STAY mean to delay an action or proceeding. DEFER implies a deliberate putting off to a later time < deferred buying a car until spring>. POSTPONE implies an intentional deferring usually to a definite time <the game is postponed until Saturday>. SUSPEND implies temporary stoppage with an added suggestion of waiting until some condition is satisfied <business will be suspended while repairs are under way>. STAY often suggests the stopping or checking by an intervening agency or authority <the governor stayed the execution>.