All 5 Uses of
defer
in
Emma
- While she was gone, Mr. Knightley called, and sat some time with Mr. Woodhouse and Emma, till Mr. Woodhouse, who had previously made up his mind to walk out, was persuaded by his daughter not to defer it, and was induced by the entreaties of both, though against the scruples of his own civility, to leave Mr. Knightley for that purpose.†
Chpt 1.7-8
- His visit he would now defer; but they had a very interesting parley about what could be done and should be done.†
Chpt 1.9-10
- Oh! go to-day, go to-day. Do not defer it.
Chpt 2.5-6 *defer = postpone (put off until another time)
- Mrs. Weston had set off to pay the visit in a good deal of agitation herself; and in the first place had wished not to go at all at present, to be allowed merely to write to Miss Fairfax instead, and to defer this ceremonious call till a little time had passed, and Mr. Churchill could be reconciled to the engagement's becoming known; as, considering every thing, she thought such a visit could not be paid without leading to reports:—but Mr. Weston had thought differently; he was…†
Chpt 3.11-12
- —She had resolved to defer the disclosure till Mrs. Weston were safe and well.†
Chpt 3.15-16 *
Definitions:
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(defer as in: deferred the decision) delay or postpone (hold off until a later time)
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(defer as in: deferred to her wishes) submit or yield (typically to another person's opinion because of respect for that person or their knowledge)