Infer vs Defer - What's the difference?
infer | defer |
To introduce (something) as a reasoned conclusion; to conclude by reasoning or deduction, as from premises or evidence.
* 2010 , "Keep calm, but don't carry on", The Economist , 7 Oct 2010:
To lead to (something) as a consequence; to imply. (Now often considered incorrect, especially with a person as subject.)
*, II.3:
* Shakespeare
* Sir Thomas More
(obsolete) To cause, inflict (something) (upon) or (to) someone.
* 1596 , (Edmund Spenser), The Faerie Queene , VI.8:
(obsolete) To introduce (a subject) in speaking, writing etc.; to bring in.
* Shakespeare
To delay or postpone; especially to postpone induction into military service.
* Shakespeare
* {{quote-book
, year=1818
, author=Mary Shelley
, title=Frankenstein
, chapter=3
to delay, to wait
* Milton
(American football) to choose to kick off after winning the opening coin toss.
(legal) To submit to the opinion or desire of another in respect to their judgment or authority.
* Francis Bacon
* 1899 ,
to render, to offer
* Brevint
In transitive terms the difference between infer and defer
is that infer is to lead to (something) as a consequence; to imply. (Now often considered incorrect, especially with a person as subject. while defer is to delay or postpone; especially to postpone induction into military service.infer
English
Verb
(inferr)- It is dangerous to infer too much from martial bluster in British politics: at the first hint of trouble, channelling Churchill is a default tactic for beleaguered leaders of all sorts.
- These and a thousand like propositions, which concurre in this purpose, do evidently inferre .
- This doth infer the zeal I had to see him.
- The first part is not the proof of the second, but rather contrariwise, the second inferreth well the first.
- faire Serena.
- Full well hath Clifford played the orator, / Inferring arguments of mighty force.
Usage notes
There are two ways in which the word "infer" is sometimes used as if it meant "imply". "Implication" is done by a person when making a "statement", whereas "inference" is done to a proposition after it had already been made or assumed. Secondly, the word "infer" can sometimes be used to mean "allude" or "express" in a suggestive manner rather than as a direct "statement". Using the word "infer" in this sense is now generally considered incorrect.[http://englishplus.com/grammar/00000232.htm
Synonyms
* assume, conclude, deduce, construeAnagrams
* ----defer
English
Etymology 1
* From (etyl) differer, from (etyl) .Verb
(deferr)- Defer the spoil of the city until night.
citation, passage=My departure for Ingolstadt, which had been deferred by these events, was now again determined upon.}}
- God will not long defer / To vindicate the glory of his name.
Derived terms
* deferralEtymology 2
* From (etyl)Verb
(deferr)- Hereupon the commissioners deferred the matter to the Earl of Northumberland.
- "Well, I must defer to your judgment. You are captain," he said with marked civility.
- worship deferred to the Virgin
