Conferred

/kənˈfɜːrd/ verb

Definition

Discussed something with someone to exchange ideas or get advice before making a decision.

Etymology

From Latin 'conferre' meaning 'to bring together' or 'compare.' The prefix 'con-' means 'with' and 'ferre' means 'to carry' or 'bring,' so the word originally meant to bring things together for comparison, which evolved into the sense of talking things through.

Kelly Says

Before email and instant messaging, when diplomats and business leaders 'conferred,' they had to actually be in the same room—so this word is a relic of when important conversations required real presence and eye contact.

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