I. di-ˈfər transitive verb
( 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
II. verb
( deferred ; deferring )
Etymology: Middle English deferren, differren, from Middle French deferer, defferer, from Late Latin deferre, from Latin, to bring down, bring, from de- + ferre to carry — more at bear
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
: to delegate to another
he could defer his job to no one — J. A. Michener
intransitive verb
: to submit to another's wishes, opinion, or governance usually through deference or respect
deferred to her father's wishes
Synonyms: see yield