A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1456-1596, 1649
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Defer, v.2 Also: deferr, deffer. [e.m.E. defer (1541), L. dēferre. Cf. Differ v.2]
1. intr. To yield, give way, submit (to another). Also refl. 1456 Hay I. 41/18.
Becaus … nocht ane wald defer till ane othir 1456 Ib. 280/20.
Me think ȝe suld deferr till us, and nocht we to ȝow a1500 Henr. Fab. 30 (B).
I me deffer to ȝour correctioun
b. To agree or assent to (a legal exception, etc.). Also with infin. 1489 Acts Lords of Council 104/1.
The lordis of consale haid deferrit to his exceptioune 1491 Ib. 177/1.
James Gibsone producit … certane witnes to the quhilkis witnes the lordis walde nocht defer 1491 Ib. 225/2.
To pref … that the said Gilbert deferrit frely to deliuer to the said Ferguss the saidis landis 1494 Acts Lords Auditors 200/1.
The lordis … fand … that the said exceptioune wes of avale and deferrit to the sammyn
2. tr. To allot, assign, or consign: to refer for consideration. 1517 Acts XII. 38/1.
Administracioune … is deferrit be electioun of the hale body of this realme to ȝoure administracioune c1550 Rolland Court of Venus i. 639.
For sic vnricht se ȝe not remedie, I me defer into my graif so grene a1578 Pitsc. II. 314/6.
So all was defferrit to certaine commissioneris on bayth the syddes
b. To delate or report. 1596 Dalr. I. 218/26.
Pure men … quha … throuch feir walde nocht deferr thair names vnto the iuge
c. To offer, propose. 1649 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. I. 437.
The wife, compearing, deferred a promise of quitting all to the oath of … her mistress
3. To refer (a matter). 1488 Acts Lords of Council 95/1.
It is be the procuratour of … Alexander Berclay deferrit to the aith of … Alexander Carrale anent the payment of the said soume
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"Defer v.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/defer_v_2>
