deference
deference
Noun
This term describes a specific type of respect that manifests as a willingness to yield or submit. It is not merely admiration, but a behavioral choice to prioritize another person's wishes or authority over one's own. It often carries a connotation of social hierarchy, tradition, or professional etiquette.
In legal or formal contexts, it refers to the intentional decision by a lower authority to accept the ruling or interpretation of a higher one. This usage emphasizes the structural nature of the submission rather than personal humility.
Meanings
Examples
He showed deference.