Hereupon the commissioners . . . deferred the matter to the Earl of Northumberland.
Bacon.
De*fer", v. i. To yield deference to the wishes of another; to submit to the opinion of another, or to authority; -- with to.
The house, deferring to legal right, acquiesced.
Bancroft.
Def"er*ence (?), n. [F. déférence. See 3d Defer.] A yielding of judgment or preference from respect to the wishes or opinion of another; submission in opinion; regard; respect; complaisance.
Deference to the authority of thoughtful and sagacious men.
Whewell.
Deference is the most complicate, the most indirect, and the most elegant of all compliments.
Shenstone.
Syn. -- Deference, Reverence, Respect. Deference marks an inclination to yield one's opinion, and to acquiesce in the sentiments of another in preference to one's own. Respect marks the estimation that we have for another, which makes us look to him as worthy of high confidence for the qualities of his mind and heart. Reverence denotes a mingling of fear with a high degree of respect and esteem. Age, rank, dignity, and personal merit call for deference; respect should be paid to the wise and good; reverence is due to God, to the authors of our being, and to the sanctity of the laws.
Def"er*ent (?), a. [L. deferens, p. pr. of deferre. See 3d Defer.] Serving to carry; bearing. [R.] "Bodies deferent." Bacon.
Def"er*ent, n. 1. That which carries or conveys.
Though air be the most favorable deferent of sounds.
Bacon.
2. (Ptolemaic Astron.) An imaginary circle surrounding the earth, in whose periphery either the heavenly body or the center of the heavenly body's epicycle was supposed to be carried round.
Def`er*en"tial (?), a. [See Deference.] Expressing deference; accustomed to defer.
Def`er*en"tial*ly, adv. With deference.