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# deference

noun (uncountable: deference)

«deference» 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

1. Polite respect shown to someone by accepting their opinion or wishes, often because they are older, wiser or more important. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/deference/#m1)
2. (phrase) «In deference to» means out of respect for someone or something. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/deference/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories and history, deference shows who has power or respect: servants showed deference to lords, and pupils may show deference to a head teacher. In everyday life it is about politeness, such as letting an elder speak first. Phrases: «out of deference to», «in deference to her wishes», «treat with deference».

### Examples

- The children spoke to the old chief with great deference. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/deference/#x1)
- In deference to Gran, we turned the music down. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/deference/#x2)
- He nodded with deference when the judge spoke. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/deference/#x3)
- The flags were lowered in deference to those who had died. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/deference/#x4)
- She treats her coach with deference. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/deference/#x5)
- Out of deference to the teacher, the class stood up when she came in. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/deference/#x6)
- When he saw that I observed him he saluted me with great deference. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/deference/#x7)

### Note

Uncountable: no «a» and no plural. Verb: defer (to defer to someone means to accept their view). Trap: not the same as «difference», though they sound a little alike. Formal word.

## In Jewish tradition

In stories and history, deference shows who has power or respect: servants showed deference to lords, and pupils may show deference to a head teacher. In everyday life it is about politeness, such as letting an elder speak first. Phrases: «out of deference to», «in deference to her wishes», «treat with deference».

### Examples

- Nonetheless, English translators have usually shied away from the this-worldly symbolism of the ‘Holy Wind’, much preferring immaterial ‘Spirit’ either out of theological embarrassment or deference to tradition. (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/deference/#x1)

### Note

Uncountable: no «a» and no plural. Verb: defer (to defer to someone means to accept their view). Trap: not the same as «difference», though they sound a little alike. Formal word.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «deference» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/deference/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«deference» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/deference.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «deference» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/deference/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«deference» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/deference.html) on Mova free.