The expression “coffee break” was first attested in 1952 in glossy magazine advertisements by the Pan-American Coffee Bureau.
DEFERENCE
deference, respect
(noun) a courteous expression (by word or deed) of esteem or regard; “his deference to her wishes was very flattering”; “be sure to give my respects to the dean”
complaisance, compliance, compliancy, obligingness, deference
(noun) a disposition or tendency to yield to the will of others
deference, respect, respectfulness
(noun) courteous regard for people’s feelings; “in deference to your wishes”; “out of respect for his privacy”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
deference (countable and uncountable, plural deferences)
Great respect.
The willingness to carry out the wishes of others.
Synonyms
• honor
• respect
Source: Wiktionary
Def"er*ence, n. Etym: [F. déférence. See 3d Defer.]
Definition: A yielding of judgment or preference from respect to the wishes or opinion of another; submission in opinion; regard; respect; complaisance. Deference to the authority of thoughtful and sagacious men. Whewell. Deference is the most complicate, the most indirect, and the most elegant of all compliments. Shenstone.
Syn.
– Deference, Reverence, Respect. Deference marks an inclination to yield one's opinion, and to acquiesce in the sentiments of another in preference to one's own. Respect marks the estimation that we have for another, which makes us look to him as worthy of high confidence for the qualities of his mind and heart. Reverence denotes a mingling of fear with a high degree of respect and esteem. Age, rank, dignity, and personal merit call for deference; respect should be paid to the wise and good; reverence is due to God, to the authors of our being, and to the sanctity of the laws.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
10 June 2025
COMMUNICATIONS
(noun) the discipline that studies the principles of transmiting information and the methods by which it is delivered (as print or radio or television etc.); “communications is his major field of study”
Coffee Trivia
