English Explanatory Dictionary

deferential

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Respectful and considerate; showing deference.
  2. Based on deference; based on the doctrine, ideology, or wishes of others rather than one's own conclusions.
adj
  1. Of or relating to the vas deferens.

Pronunciation

[ˌdɛfəˈɹɛnʃəɫ] en-us-deferential.ogg

Word forms

deferential more deferential most deferential

Etymology

From deference (or its Latin type *dēferentia) + -al; compare essence, essential; prudence, prudential, etc. Coined by Scottish novelist, poet and playwright Walter Scott.

Antonyms

derogative derogatory

Related words

defer deference deferent

Derived words

deferentialism deferentially nondeferential undeferential epididymodeferential
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