I. |defə|renchəl adjective
Etymology: from deference, after such pairs as English prudence: prudential
1. : showing or expressing deference
listened with deferential attention
a deferential bow
2. : given to deference
the deferential nature of society — J.G.Pearson
• def·er·en·tial·ly -ch(ə)lē, -li adverb
II. adjective
Etymology: deferent (II) + -ial
: deferent II 2