Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Plural form of deference.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • As for Tory England - that rich network of interlocking interests, social deferences and inherited institutions that Tory statecraft has successfully protected and reproduced for over a century by its skillful adaptation to democratic institutions in Britain - it is now as good as dead.

    The credit crunch will do for Margaret Thatcher's reputation 2009

  • The intonation was cockney; it reminded him of the rich vocal deferences of Bounds.

    The Beautiful and Damned 2003

  • "Surely," she said, "it would be well for me to accustom myself, once again, to the utterance of such appropriate deferences."

    Magicians of Gor Norman, John, 1931- 1988

  • It can be given away in many ways, by the movements of the body, by certain timidities, and deferences, dispositions to kneel, slips of the tongue, and such.

    Renegades Of Gor Norman, John 1986

  • They practiced rituals and deferences -- a gesture, a word, a stepping aside -- with the smoothness of centuried tradition.

    A Circus of Hells Anderson, Poul, 1926- 1969

  • Several obliging deferences, condescensions and submissions, with many outward forms and ceremonies that accompany them, were first of all brought up among the politer part of mankind, who lived in courts and cities, and distinguished themselves from the rustick part of the species (who on all occasions acted bluntly and naturally) by such a mutual complaisance and intercourse of civilities.

    The Coverley Papers Various

  • The intonation was cockney; it reminded him of the rich vocal deferences of Bounds.

    The Beautiful and Damned 1918

  • With all due deferences, your grace, ’tis the idle portion of the community, your drunkards and vagabonds, who quarrel for want of something to do, and clamour about privilege because they are hungry; they impose upon the curious and the credulous, and, in order to obtain a pot of beer, excite disturbances that will bring misery upon thousands.

    Act II. Scene I 1909

  • There are sentimental and traditional deferences and reverences, I know, between father and son; but that's just exactly what prevents the development of an easy friendship.

    Ann Veronica: A Modern Love Story Herbert George 1909

  • There are sentimental and traditional deferences and reverences, I know, between father and son; but that's just exactly what prevents the development of an easy friendship.

    Ann Veronica, a modern love story 1906

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