deferent

¹

[ def-er-uhnt ]

adjective

1. marked by or showing deference:

   She was always deferent to her elders.

deferent

²

[ def-er-uhnt ]

adjective

Anatomy.

1. conveying away; efferent.
2. of or relating to the vas deferens.

noun

1. Astronomy. (in the Ptolemaic system) the circle around the earth in which a celestial body or the center of the epicycle of its orbit was thought to move.

deferent

¹

/ ˈdɛfərənt /

adjective

1. another word for deferential

deferent

²

/ ˈdɛfərənt /

adjective

1. (esp of a bodily nerve, vessel, or duct) conveying an impulse, fluid, etc, outwards, down, or away; efferent

noun

1. astronomy (in the Ptolemaic system) a circle centred on the earth around which the centre of the epicycle was thought to move

Word History and Origins

Origin of deferent¹

First recorded in 1815–25; defer ² + -ent

Origin of deferent²

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin dēferent- (stem of dēferēns ), present participle of dēferre. See defer ², -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of deferent¹

C17: from Latin dēferre ; see defer ²

Example Sentences

The big circle centred on the equant point is called a deferent.

From Literature

Different hypotheses might produce the same result: for example an eccentric circle will generate exactly the same movement as an epicycle upon a deferent.

From Literature

That, at least, would explain the bizarre look of deferent contrition on his face.

From The Guardian

These images are almost reverentially deferent to Nature’s power.

From Wall Street Journal

“That tells us a story about British politeness culture being more deferent to saying please and American politeness culture being more interested in not showing deference but showing appreciation,” Murphy said.

From The Guardian