| 释义 |
▪ I. deference|ˈdɛfərəns|
[a. F. déférence (16th c.), f. déférer to defer v.2: see -ence.]
†1. The action of offering or proffering; tendering, bestowing, yielding. Obs. rare—1.
1660tr. Amyraldus' Treat. conc. Relig. i. iii. 35 Our deference of all honor and glory to that which we venerate.
2. Submission to the acknowledged superior claims, skill, judgement, or other qualitites, of another. Often in phr. to pay, show, yield deference.
1647Clarendon Hist. Reb. i. (1843) 9/2 He was..negligent..to correspond with him with that deference he had used to do, but had the courage to dispute his commands. 1706Estcourt Fair Examp. iii. i, Now, Sir, you shall stay and see what a Deference they pay to my Skill and Authority. 1711Addison Spect. No. 62 ⁋7 With all the Deference that is due to the Judgment of so great a Man. 1798Ferriar Illustr. Sterne, Varieties of Man 196 Much of this evil has certainly proceeded from undue deference to authorities. 1830D'Israeli Chas. I, III. vii. 148 Charles often yielded a strange deference to minds inferior to his own. 1836H. Coleridge North. Worthies (1852) I. 6 That voice of authority to which he would have paid most willing deference.
3. Courteous regard such as is rendered to a superior, or to one to whom respect is due; the manifestation of a disposition to yield to the claims or wishes of another. Const. to, † for.
a1660Hammond Wks. II. i. 137 (R.) Why was not John who was a virgin chosen, or preferred before the rest?..his answer is, because Peter was the Elder, the deference being given to his age. 1662J. Davies tr. Olearius' Voy. Ambass. 80 Nor have they any more complyance one for another, than they have deference for strangers: for instead of being civil one to another [etc.]. 1678Lively Orac. v. §15. 296, I shall consider to which God himself appears in Scripture to give the deference. 1712Steele Spect. No. 497 ⁋2 He was conducted from room to room, with great deference, to the minister. 1754Chatham Lett. Nephew iv. 20 Their age and learning..entitle them to all deference. 1855H. Reed Lect. Eng. Hist. iii. 411 That indescribable and instinctive deference to the feelings of others, which constitutes the gentlemanly spirit.
4. in deference to: in respectful acknowledgement of the authority of, out of practical respect or regard to.
1863H. Cox Instit. i. x. 249 The resignation of a Prime Minister in deference to the will of the House of Commons. 1867Smiles Huguenots Eng. xi. (1880) 195 In deference to public opinion, he granted some relief to the exiles from his privy purse. 1879M. Arnold Irish Cathol. Mixed Ess. 101 It is in deference to the opinion..of such a class that we shape our policy.
▪ II. deference
obs. form of difference. |