Past tense of differ; meant that things were not the same or did not agree with each other.
From Old French 'differer,' derived from Latin 'differre' (to carry apart, to be unlike). The root 'dis-' (apart) + 'ferre' (to carry) literally meant to carry things in different directions, evolving to mean disagreement.
The word 'differ' and 'defer' come from the same Latin root 'differre'—but English split them based on meaning! When things differ, they're carried apart; when you defer, you also carry something away (in time). Same root, different meanings!
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