defer Definition

defer¹
verb

deferred, deferring
1. To put off something or leave it until a later time.

Thesaurus: postpone, delay, suspend, procrastinate, put off, adjourn, shelve, protract.

Derivative: deferment
noun

The action of putting something off until a later time
Thesaurus: delay, stay, postponement, moratorium, suspension, deferral, putting off, procrastination.

Derivative: deferrable
adj

Derivative: deferral
noun

Derivative: deferrer
noun

Etymology: 14c: from Latin differre to delay or postpone.

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defer²
verb

intr
deferred, deferring
1. To yield to their wishes, opinions or orders.

Thesaurus: yield, submit, obey, accede, acquiesce, concede, waive, comply, give way, bow, kowtow.
Form: defer to someone (usually)

Etymology: 15c Scots, meaning ‘to submit oneself to someone': from Latin deferre to carry away.