Category:Defer

De*fer", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deferred; p. pr. & vb. n. Deferring.] Etym: [OE. differren, F. différer, fr. L. differre to delay, bear different ways; dis- + ferre to bear. See Bear to support, and cf. Differ, Defer to offer.]

Defn: To put off; to postpone to a future time; to delay the execution of; to delay; to withhold. Defer the spoil of the city until night. Shak. God. . . will not long defer To vindicate the glory of his name. Milton.

defer De*fer", v. i.

Defn: To put off; to delay to act; to wait. Pius was able to defer and temporize at leisure. J. A. Symonds.

defer De*fer", v. t. Etym: [F. déférer to pay deference, to yield, to bring before a judge, fr. L. deferre to bring down; de- + ferre to bear. See Bear to support, and cf. Defer to delay, Delate.]

1. To render or offer. [Obs.] Worship deferred to the Virgin. Brevint.

2. To lay before; to submit in a respectful manner; to refer; -- with to. Hereupon the commissioners. . . deferred the matter to the Earl of Northumberland. Bacon.

defer De*fer", v. i.

Defn: To yield deference to the wishes of another; to submit to the opinion of another, or to authority; -- with to. The house, deferring to legal right, acquiesced. Bancroft.