Word of the Day : February 28, 2021

deference \DEF-uh-runss\ noun

Definition

: respect and esteem due a superior or an elder; also : affected or ingratiating regard for another's wishes

Did You Know?

We need to be specific when we tell you that deference and defer both derive from the Medieval Latin dēferre, which means "to convey, show respect, submit to a decision," because there are two defers in the English language. The defer related to deference is typically used with to in contexts having to do either with allowing someone else to decide or choose something, as in "I'll defer to the experts," or with agreeing to follow someone else's decision, wish, etc., as when a court defers to precedent. The other defer traces to the Latin differre, meaning "to carry away in varying directions, spread abroad, postpone, delay, be unlike or distinct." That defer is typically used in contexts having to do with delaying or postponing something, as in "a willingness to defer the decision until next month."

Aired February 28, 2021

All Merriam-Webster content is available at www.merriam-webster.com