Main Entry: ¹de·fer

Pronunciation: \di-ˈfər\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): de·ferred; de·fer·ring

Etymology: Middle English deferren, differren, from Middle French differer, from Latin differre to postpone, be different — more at differ

Date: 14th century

1 : put off, delay
2 : to postpone induction of (a person) into military service

— de·fer·rer noun

synonyms defer, postpone, suspend, stay mean to delay an action or proceeding. defer implies a deliberate putting off to a later time <deferred buying a car until spring>. postpone implies an intentional deferring usually to a definite time <the game is postponed until Saturday>. suspend implies temporary stoppage with an added suggestion of waiting until some condition is satisfied <business will be suspended while repairs are under way>. stay often suggests the stopping or checking by an intervening agency or authority <the governor stayed the execution>.