ScienceJuly 7, 2026

deference

/ˈdɛfərəns/

Definition

A respectful submission to or yielding to the judgment, opinion, or authority of another party.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'deferre,' meaning to bring down or refer, it entered English through Old French. It reflects the idea of 'carrying' or yielding one's own position to show respect for another's standing.

In the news

The author acknowledges that while there is scientific disagreement about the classification of the galaxy Centaurus A, they choose to accept NASA's official designation as a sign of respect for the agency's expertise.

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PetaPixel

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