defer

verb (defer, defers, deferred, deferring)

«defer» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

Everyday

(formal) To put off something until later; to delay: the meeting was deferred until next week. tree →
(formal) Defer to: to accept someone else's opinion or decision because you respect them or they know more: I defer to your experience. tree →

In the lessons

A formal word of letters, school notices and exam language. In everyday talk people say "put off" or "postpone". Phrases: defer to, deferred payment, defer a decision.

Examples

(formal) The trip has been deferred because of the snow. tree →
The decision was deferred until all the parents had replied. tree →
On matters of football, I defer to my brother. tree →
(formal) Payment may be deferred until the end of the month. tree →
She deferred her university place for a year. tree →
(formal) Subsequently, the match was deferred to the following Saturday. tree →
As the hunchback was one of the Sultan's private jesters, the chief of police resolved to defer sentence of death until he had consulted his master. tree →

Note

Double r in the past: deferred, deferring. Stress on the second syllable: de-FER. Nouns: deferral (delay), deference (respect). Same as "postpone" in the first meaning.

In Jewish tradition

Here it means to delay. In Proverbs and Isaiah it also means to put off, as hope put off or anger held back.

Interpretation. Tradition reads Ecclesiastes as teaching that a vow to God must be paid quickly. Isaiah's God holding back anger is read as His patience and mercy.

Examples

And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter. (Torah GEN.34.19, JPS 1917) tree →
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; but desire fulfilled is a tree of life. (Writings PRO.13.12, JPS 1917) tree →
When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for He hath no pleasure in fools; pay that which thou vowest. (Writings ECC.5.3, JPS 1917) tree →
For My name's sake will I defer Mine anger, and for My praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off. (Prophets ISA.48.9, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Double r in the past: deferred, deferring. Stress on the second syllable: de-FER. Nouns: deferral (delay), deference (respect). Same as "postpone" in the first meaning.

On Mova

Trees and pragmatics of «defer» in the school dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«defer» in the school dictionary on Mova free.
Trees and pragmatics of «defer» in the Judaism dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«defer» in the Judaism dictionary on Mova free.

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