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Definition of deference noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

deference

noun
 
/ˈdefərəns/
 
/ˈdefərəns/
[uncountable]
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  1. behaviour that shows that you respect somebody/something
    • in deference to somebody/something The women wore veils in deference to the customs of the country.
    • out of deference to somebody/something The flags were lowered out of deference to the bereaved family.
    Extra Examples
    • The traditional menu was changed in deference to Western tastes.
    • The actress was accorded all the deference of a visiting celebrity.
    • Why do you treat your boss with such deference?
    • deference towards your elders
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • great
    verb + deference
    • accord
    • give
    • grant
    preposition
    • in of deference  to
    • out of deference  to
    • with deference
    See full entry
    Word Originmid 17th cent.: from French déférence, from déférer ‘refer’, from Latin differre, from dis- ‘apart’ + ferre ‘bring, carry’.
See deference in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee deference in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
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