Defer
/dɪˈfɜːr/noun
To submit to another's wishes or opinions.
Did you know?The term 'defer' is linked to ancient notions of submission and respect, often seen in rituals where lower ranks would 'carry down' their requests to higher powers.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dher-
“to hold, support, or carry”
Latin
Latin
deferre
“to bring down, to carry away (often in the context of submitting or yielding)”
Old French
Old French
deferer
“to yield, submit, or present (a case or request)”
Middle English
Middle English
deferen
“to submit or postpone (a decision or opinion)”
Modern English
English
defer
“to yield to another's authority or opinion”