defer1
/
dɪˈfəː/
v.
(defers, deferring, deferred)
put off to a later time; postpone.
▸Law (of a judge) postpone (a sentence) so that the circumstances or conduct of the defendant can be further assessed.
Derivative
- deferment n.
- deferrable adj.
- deferral n.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. differer ‘defer or differ’, from L. differre, from dis- ‘apart’ + ferre ‘bring, carry’.
defer2
/
dɪˈfəː/
v.
(defers, deferring, deferred)
(
defer to)
submit to or acknowledge the merit of:
he deferred to Tim's superior knowledge.
Derivative
Etymology
ME: from OFr. deferer, from L. deferre ‘carry away, refer’, from de- ‘away from’ + ferre ‘bring, carry’.