defer etymology

Etymology and Meaning

The word "defer" comes from the Latin word "de" (meaning "away" or "down") and "ferre" (meaning "to carry" or "to bring"). Literally, it means "to carry something away."

History and Origin

In the late 14th century, "defer" was first used in English to mean "to put off or delay." This usage likely originated from the legal sense of "to carry over (a case or matter) to another day."

Later, in the 16th century, "defer" took on a more nuanced meaning, encompassing ideas of respect, submission, and acknowledgment of authority. This usage was influenced by the Latin phrase "deferre reverentiam," which means "to show respect."

Meaning and Usage Today

Today, "defer" has several meanings:

• To postpone or delay (e.g., "I must defer the decision until I have more information.")
• To yield or submit (e.g., "I defer to your greater experience in this matter.")
• To show respect or deference (e.g., "I defer to the wisdom of our elders.")
• To transfer or assign (e.g., "The task was deferred to another team.")

In modern English, "defer" is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. It is a versatile word that can convey a range of meanings related to waiting, yielding, and showing respect.

defer relate terms

• differ

  Etymology Origin Late Latin differre meaning to put off defer From Latin dis apa

• defer

  Etymology and Meaning The word defer comes from the Latin word de meaning away or

• deference

  Etymology Middle English from Anglo Norman deferrence from Old French desférence fr

• defer

  Etymology and Meaning The word defer comes from the Latin word de meaning away or

• prorogue

  Etymology Late Latin prorogare meaning to defer postpone prolong Latin pro for

• table

  Word Etymology Meaning Origin Table Old French table from

• remit

  Etymology The word remit originates from the Latin verb remittere which means to se

• procrastinate

  Etymology The word procrastinate comes from the Latin word procrastinare which mean

• procrastination

  Etymology Latin procrastinare meaning to defer Derived from pro forward and

• specialization

  Etymology The word specialization derives from the Old French term specialité which

• expect

  Etymology Middle English expecten from Anglo Norman French expecten from Latin exspe

• merit

  Etymology Middle English merite from Old French merite from Latin meritum neuter pa

• mitre

  Etymology The word mitre comes from the Middle French word mitre which in turn is d

• Scratch

  Etymology The word scratch comes from the Middle English word scratten which in turn