好词典

deference

UK //ˈdef.ər.əns//US //ˈdef.ɚ.əns//

词源

源自17世纪法语 déférence,基于拉丁语 deferre(意为‘带走,服从’),由 de-(向下) + ferre(携带)组成。

noun

❶ 出于尊重或礼貌而对他人意见、意愿或权威的顺从或让步,常用于正式场合或等级关系中。

“He treated his elders with great deference.”

(他对长辈表现出极大的尊重。)

“Out of deference to her wishes, we canceled the party.”

(出于尊重她的意愿,我们取消了聚会。)

同义词:respect, submission, compliance

常见短语

in deference to — 出于对某人或某事的尊重而采取行动,常用于解释让步或妥协的原因。

“In deference to local customs, visitors removed their shoes.”

(出于对当地习俗的尊重,访客们脱下了鞋子。)

pay deference — 向某人表示敬意或服从,强调主动的尊重行为。

“The crowd paid deference to the retiring professor.”

(人群向即将退休的教授致以敬意。)