defer

I. transitive verb (deferred; deferring) 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 • deferrer 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