What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Defer vs Ascertain - What's the difference?

defer | ascertain |

As verbs the difference between defer and ascertain

is that defer is to delay or postpone; especially to postpone induction into military service or defer can be (legal) to submit to the opinion or desire of another in respect to their judgment or authority while ascertain is to find out definitely; to discover or establish.

defer

English

Etymology 1

* From (etyl) differer, from (etyl) .

Verb

(deferr)
  • To delay or postpone; especially to postpone induction into military service.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Defer the spoil of the city until night.
  • * {{quote-book
    • , year=1818 , author=Mary Shelley , title=Frankenstein , chapter=3 citation , passage=My departure for Ingolstadt, which had been deferred by these events, was now again determined upon.}}
  • to delay, to wait
  • * Milton
    • God will not long defer / To vindicate the glory of his name.
  • (American football) to choose to kick off after winning the opening coin toss.
    • Related terms
    * differ
    Derived terms
    * deferral

    Etymology 2

    * From (etyl)

    Verb

    (deferr)
  • (legal) To submit to the opinion or desire of another in respect to their judgment or authority.
  • * Francis Bacon
    • Hereupon the commissioners deferred the matter to the Earl of Northumberland.
  • * 1899 ,
    • "Well, I must defer to your judgment. You are captain," he said with marked civility.
  • to render, to offer
  • * Brevint
    • worship deferred to the Virgin
    Derived terms
    * deference

    Anagrams

    * * ----

    ascertain

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To find out definitely; to discover or establish.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1905, author=
    • , title= , chapter=1 citation , passage=“There the cause of death was soon ascertained ?; the victim of this daring outrage had been stabbed to death from ear to ear with a long, sharp instrument, in shape like an antique stiletto, which […] was subsequently found under the cushions of the hansom. […]”}}
    As soon as we ascertain what the situation is, we can plan how to proceed.

    Synonyms

    * determine * discover * establish * find out * learn * work out

    Anagrams

    *