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Deferring Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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deferring

[dɪˈfɜrɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

postponing action

Deferring refers to the act of putting off or delaying a decision, action, or event to a later time. It often involves the postponement of obligations or responsibilities until a future date.

Synonyms

delaying, postponing, suspending.

Examples of usage

  • The meeting was deferred to next week.
  • She decided to defer her college admission for a year.
  • They are deferring the project until more resources are available.
Context #2 | Verb

yielding to opinion

Deferring can also mean yielding to the judgment or opinion of someone else. This usage typically implies respect for another's decision or expertise.

Synonyms

entrusting, submitting, yielding.

Examples of usage

  • He deferred to his mentor's experience.
  • In uncertain situations, she often defers to her colleagues.
  • They decided to defer to the team's consensus.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Research shows that deferring decisions can sometimes lead to better outcomes, as it allows more time for information gathering.
  • Procrastination is often linked to deferring; understanding the reasons behind delay can help improve time management skills.
  • Mental fatigue can increase the likelihood of deferring tasks, as the brain seeks to conserve energy when overwhelmed.

Cultural Perspectives

  • In some cultures, deferring decisions to elders or higher authorities shows respect and builds community trust.
  • The concept of patience in Asian cultures encourages deferring immediate desires in favor of long-term gains.
  • Conversely, Western cultures often emphasize prompt decision-making, seeing deferral as a sign of indecision or weakness.

Literature

  • In literature, characters who defer choices often face conflicts that explore themes of responsibility and consequence.
  • Classic novels frequently depict deferring as a central plot device, illustrating tensions between duty and desire.
  • The metaphor of a 'fork in the road' is often used to represent pivotal moments when characters must choose whether to defer or act.

Education

  • Students may defer assignments to manage workload effectively, emphasizing strategic planning in their studies.
  • Some universities allow students to defer enrollment, giving them extra time for personal or academic reasons before starting.
  • Educators encourage deferring certain types of judgments until all relevant information is considered, promoting critical thinking.

Origin of 'deferring'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin word 'deferre,' which means 'to carry away' or 'to bring down.'
  • Used in English since the 15th century, 'defer' initially meant to yield or submit to someone else’s judgment.
  • The change in meaning to 'postpone' evolved in the 19th century, highlighting a shift in how people viewed decision-making.

The word 'defer' comes from the Latin 'differre', which means 'to carry away' or 'to put off'. It is a combination of 'de-', meaning 'from', and 'ferre', meaning 'to carry'. The term evolved through Old French 'difference', meaning 'to differ or postpone', and was incorporated into Middle English in the form of 'deferen'. Initially used in legal contexts to denote the act of delaying a court decision, 'defer' expanded its usage into common vernacular to describe the act of postponing any kind of action or decision. Over time, it has adopted various nuances in meaning, including yielding to someone else's opinion or authority, highlighting both the postponement of duties and the respect for external judgment.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,475, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.