Putting off something until later; delaying a decision or action.
From Latin 'differre' (to carry away, postpone), combining 'dis-' (apart) and 'ferre' (to carry). The meaning shifted from physically carrying away to postponing in time.
Deferring is everywhere in modern life—students defer college, workers defer mortgages, even your body defers digestion after a big meal. The same Latin root gives us 'defer' (to show respect) because both actions involve pushing something away or putting it in second place.
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