[de.fer] vt de.ferred ; de.fer.ring [ME deferren, differren, fr. MF differer, fr. L differre to postpone, be different--more at differ] (14c) 1: put off, delay
2: to postpone induction of (a person) into military service -- de.fer.rer n syn 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 usu. 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".
[2]defer vb deferred ; deferring [ME deferren, differren, fr. MF deferer, defferer, fr. LL deferre, fr. L, to bring down, bring, fr. de- + ferre to carry--more at bear] vt (15c): to delegate to another "he could ~ his job to no one --J. A. Michener" ~ vi: to submit to another's wishes, opinion, or governance usu. through deference or respect "deferred to her father's wishes" syn see yield