deferent

/'defərənt/

Thân thiện

A student shows a deferent attitude toward her teacher.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Showing deference: Behaving in a way that shows respect and submission to the wishes or judgment of another person or authority.

Usage

The adjective "deferent" describes a person, attitude, or action that is marked by deference. It is a formal term, often used in contexts discussing behavior, manners, or hierarchical relationships. It is less common than its synonym "deferential."

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The young intern was always deferent to the senior surgeons.
  • She spoke in a deferent tone when addressing the committee chair.
  • His deferent attitude helped him learn from his experienced mentors.

Advanced Usage

• In Historical/Scientific Context: In older texts or specific scientific terminology (e.g., Ptolemaic astronomy), "deferent" can refer to a conceptual circle in a planetary model. However, in modern general usage, this meaning is archaic and highly specialized.
  • In the Ptolemaic system, a planet moved along a small circle called an epicycle, whose center moved along a larger circle called the deferent.

Variants and Related Words

• Deference (n): Humble submission and respect.
  • He treated his elders with great deference.
• Deferential (adj): Showing deference; respectful. (This is the more commonly used adjective form).
  • She was deferential to her professor's expertise.
• Defer (v): To submit to another's wishes, opinion, or governance; to postpone.
  • I will defer to your judgment on this matter.

Synonyms

• Respectful
• Reverential
• Submissive
• Dutiful
• Obedient

Antonyms

• Defiant
• Disrespectful
• Insolent
• Contemptuous

Notes on Usage

• Formality: "Deferent" is a formal word. In everyday conversation, "respectful" or "deferential" are more frequent choices.
• Distinction from "Defer": Do not confuse the adjective "deferent" (showing respect) with the verb "defer" (to postpone or yield). They share a Latin root but have distinct primary meanings in modern English.
  • Correct: He was deferent to the judge. (Adjective: showing respect)
  • Correct: He asked to defer the meeting. (Verb: to postpone)

Học thuật

Adjective

1. showing deference

Từ đồng nghĩa

• deferential
• regardful