deferential
[ˌdɛfəˈɹɛnʃəɫ] adjective
- adjective Respectful and considerate; showing deference.
- adjective Based on deference; based on the doctrine, ideology, or wishes of others rather than one's own conclusions.
- adjective (anatomy) Of or relating to the vas deferens.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From deference (or its Latin type *dēferentia) + -al; compare essence, essential; prudence, prudential, etc. Coined by Scottish novelist, poet and playwright Walter Scott.
From French déférentiel, from déférent + -iel.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Expressing deference; accustomed to defer.
Etymology [See Deference.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “deferential”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details