Deferment Meaning: Definition and Examples
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deferment
[dɪˈfəːm(ə)nt ]
Definitions
education
The action or fact of putting something off to a later time; postponement.
Synonyms
delay, postponement, suspension.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| deferment |
Use when referring to an official or formal decision to delay something, often used in legal, academic, or military contexts.
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Examples of usage
- The deferment of student loan payments helped many students during the pandemic.
- She requested a deferment of her exams due to unforeseen circumstances.
finance
The action of delaying or postponing a payment or obligation.
Synonyms
extension, prolongation, renewal.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| deferment |
This term is often used in official or formal contexts, especially regarding the postponement of financial obligations, legal matters, or military service.
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| extension |
This is commonly used in more general situations where extra time is given, such as deadlines, projects, or policies. It can be both formal and informal.
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| renewal |
Used when something is being made new again or extended for another term, commonly seen with subscriptions, licenses, or memberships.
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| prolongation |
Often it's used in formal or technical contexts to describe the act of making something last longer, especially in contracts, medical treatments, or negotiations. It may have a slightly negative connotation if implying an undesirable delay.
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Examples of usage
- The company requested a deferment of their loan repayment schedule.
- The bank granted a deferment of the mortgage payment for a few months.
Interesting Facts
Education
- In educational settings, deferment often refers to students choosing to postpone their enrollment or attendance for a semester or year.
- A common reason for deferment is the need for additional time to prepare for academic challenges, such as intensive study plans or personal issues.
- Universities sometimes allow deferment to encourage students to take time for personal growth or address life events before starting their studies.
Finance
- In finance, deferment is often used regarding student loans, where payments can be postponed under certain conditions, providing relief to borrowers.
- Deferment can affect interest accumulation on loans, which is crucial in understanding long-term financial obligations.
- Certain policies allow deferment for military service members, showing how the concept interacts with national service commitments.
Law
- Deferment in legal terms can refer to delaying a court date or extending the time needed for a party to respond to a legal matter.
- Judges sometimes grant deferments to ensure all parties involved have the necessary time to prepare their arguments adequately.
- In criminal cases, a deferment may lead to outcomes like probation, allowing offenders to avoid sentencing under specific conditions.
Culture
- Deferment can reflect cultural attitudes towards responsibility, with various societies placing different values on punctuality versus flexibility.
- In some cultural contexts, deferring obligations can signify wisdom, suggesting that taking time to consider decisions is of utmost importance.
- Understanding the concept of deferment in different cultures can enrich discussions on global perspectives on time management and priorities.
Origin of 'deferment'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'deferment' comes from the Latin root 'differre', meaning 'to carry apart' or 'to delay'.
- It has been used in English since the late 19th century, primarily in legal and academic contexts.
- The root term 'defer' in English means to put off to a later time, showing the related concept of postponement.
The word 'deferment' originated from the Latin word 'deferre', which means 'to carry from'. It entered the English language in the mid-16th century. Initially, it was used in the context of delaying or postponing actions. Over time, 'deferment' became commonly used in educational and financial settings to refer to the act of delaying obligations or payments. The term gained popularity in the 20th century with the rise of student loans and financial deferment options.
See also: deference, deferential, deferred.