confer
con·fer
verb \kən-ˈfər\con·ferredcon·fer·ring
Definition of CONFER
intransitive verb
: to compare views or take counsel : consult
transitive verb
1
: to bestow from or as if from a position of superiority <conferred an honorary degree on her> <knowing how to read was a gift conferred with manhood — Murray Kempton>
2
: to give (as a property or characteristic) to someone or something <a reputation for power will confer power — John Spanier>
— con·fer·ment \-ˈfər-mənt\ noun
— con·fer·ra·ble \-ˈfər-ə-bəl\ adjective
— con·fer·ral \-ˈfər-əl\ noun
— con·fer·rer \-ˈfər-ər\ noun
Examples of CONFER
- The lawyer and judge conferred about the ruling.
- <the British monarch continues to confer knighthood on those who are outstanding in their fields of endeavor>
- The cameleers … conferred with each other about the safest path across. —Greg Child, Mixed Emotions: Mountaineering Writings of Greg Child, 1993
- It was a traditional compliment to be whinged at by an Englishman. It was his way of saying he trusted you, he was conferring upon you the privilege of getting to know the real him. —Margaret Atwood, New Yorker, 5 Mar.1990
- He liked the ease and glitter of the life, and the lustre conferred on him by being a member of this group of rich and conspicuous people. —Edith Wharton, The House of Mirth, 1905
- [+]more
Origin of CONFER
Latin conferre to bring together, from com- + ferre to carry — more at bear
First Known Use: circa 1500
Related to CONFER
Related Words: bestow, contribute, donate, give, present, show; furnish, provide, supply; extend, offer, proffer; allocate, appropriate, assign; appoint, designate, dub, fix, name, set
See Synonym Discussion at give
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