PoliticsJuly 10, 2026

deference

/ˈdɛfərəns/

Definition

A humble submission to the judgment, opinion, or authority of another person.

Etymology

The word comes from the Middle French 'déférence,' which is derived from the Latin 'deferre,' meaning to carry away or to yield. It entered English in the 17th century to describe the act of showing respect by deferring to another's status or expertise.

In the news

The article uses the word to describe President Trump’s respectful yielding to the Fed Chair’s authority, highlighting a shift in his usual confrontational approach toward the central bank.

Playbook

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Politico

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