noun
deference
DEH-fuh-ruhns
noun
1
Respectful submission to another person's wishes, judgment, or authority.
"The junior staff treated the veteran surgeon with great deference."
"Out of deference to her wishes, they cancelled the party."
How to Use Deference
Learner’s notes
Common pairings
in deference to
show deference
due deference
Word Forms
deferences plural
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The junior staff treated the veteran surgeon with great _____.
Etymology
From French déférence, formed from defer + -ence.