Either puts off until later, or shows respect and submission to someone.
From Latin 'differre' (to carry away, postpone) or 'deferre' (to bring down, submit). The two meanings evolved separately but share the same root.
The word 'defer' has two opposite-feeling uses: you can 'defer' a decision (delay it) or 'defer to your boss' (respect them), yet both come from the idea of putting something in a lower position.
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