deference
deference Lexical Profile
deference Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Humble submission, courteous regard, and respect shown toward the judgment, opinion, or authority of another person.
"The junior researchers listened in polite deference as the Nobel laureate critiqued their experimental methodology."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'deference' (polite submission and respect, derived from the verb 'defer' meaning to yield) with 'difference' (a state of being dissimilar). It is frequently used in the prepositional phrase 'in deference to', meaning out of respect for someone's wishes or authority.
• Rhymes for deference
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the mid-17th century from French 'déférence', from the verb 'déférer' (to yield or submit), which ultimately traces back to Latin 'deferre' ('to carry down' or 'to submit to authority'), formed from 'de-' (down) and 'ferre' (to bring or carry).