deference
respectful yielding to another person's judgment
Roots
- de-: down, away, reversal, reduction, or removal
- fer / bear: carry or bring
Other words with the fer / bear root
- circumference: distance around a circle
- infer: to reach a conclusion from evidence
- inference: a conclusion reached from evidence
- offer: to present or give for consideration
- proliferate: to multiply or spread rapidly
- proliferation: rapid increase or multiplication
Deference carries judgment away from the self and toward someone else's authority or experience.
Her deference to the senior nurse made the emergency room calmer.