different between defer vs forestall

English

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /d??f??(?)/
• Rhymes: -??(r)
• (US) IPA^(key): /d??f?/
• Hyphenation: de?fer

Etymology 1

Originally a variant of (and hence a doublet of) differ; from Middle English differren (“to postpone”), from Old French differer, from Latin differ?.

Verb

defer (third-person singular simple present defers, present participle deferring, simple past and past participle deferred)

1. (transitive) To delay or postpone
   1. (especially more common, historically) to postpone induction into military service.
2. (American football) After winning the opening coin toss, to postpone until the start of the second half a team's choice of whether to kick off or receive (and to allow the opposing team to make this choice at the start of the first half).
3. (intransitive) To delay, to wait.

Derived terms

• deferral
• deferment

Related terms

• differ

Translations

Etymology 2

From late Middle English differren (“to refer for judgement”), from Middle French déférer, from Latin d?fer?.

Verb

defer (third-person singular simple present defers, present participle deferring, simple past and past participle deferred)

1. (transitive, intransitive) To submit to the opinion or desire of another in respect to their judgment or authority.
2. To render, to offer.
   • 1872, Daniel Brevint, Saul and Samuel at Endor

     worship deferred to the Virgin

Derived terms

• deference

Translations

Anagrams

• freed, refed

Latin

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /?de?.fer/, [?d?e?f?r]
• (Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /?de.fer/, [?d???f?r]

Verb

d?fer

1. second-person singular present active imperative of d?fer?

English

Etymology 1

From Middle English forestallen (“to forestall, intercept, ambush, way-lay”), from forestalle (“a forestalling, interception”), from Old English foresteall (“intervention, hindrance of justice, ambush”), from fore- (“ahead of, before”) + steall (“position”), equivalent to fore- +? stall.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /f??(?)?st??l/
• Rhymes: -??l

Verb

forestall (third-person singular simple present forestalls, present participle forestalling, simple past and past participle forestalled)

1. (transitive) To prevent, delay or hinder something by taking precautionary or anticipatory measures; to avert.

   Fred forestalled disaster by his prompt action.

2. (transitive) To preclude or bar from happening, render impossible.

   In French, an aspired h forestalls elision.

3. (archaic) To purchase the complete supply of a good, particularly foodstuffs, in order to charge a monopoly price.
4. To anticipate, to act foreseeingly.
   • 1919, W. Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence, chapter 26

     She insisted on doing her share of the offices needful to the sick. She arranged his bed so that it was possible to change the sheet without disturbing him. She washed him. […] She did not speak to him much, but she was quick to forestall his wants.

5. To deprive (with of).
6. (Britain, law) To obstruct or stop up, as a road; to stop the passage of a highway; to intercept on the road, as goods on the way to market.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:hinder

Derived terms

• forestaller
• forestalment
• forestallment

Translations

Etymology 2

From Middle English forstal, from Old English foresteall (“an intervention, hindrance (of justice), ambush, assault, offence of waylaying on the highway, fine for such an offence, resistance, opposition”), equivalent to fore- +? stall.

Alternative forms

• foresteal, forsteal, forestal

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?f??(?).st??l/

Noun

forestall (plural forestalls)

1. (obsolete or historical) An ambush; plot; an interception; waylaying; rescue.
2. Something situated or placed in front.

Anagrams

• fellators