deferent adj 1: showing deference [syn: {deferent}, {deferential}, {regardful}]
Deferent \Def"er*ent\, a. [L. deferens, p. pr. of deferre. See 3d {Defer}.] Serving to carry; bearing. [R.] "Bodies deferent." --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
Deferent \Def"er*ent\, n. 1. That which carries or conveys. [1913 Webster] Though air be the most favorable deferent of sounds. --Bacon. [1913 Webster] 2. (Ptolemaic Astron.) An imaginary circle surrounding the earth, in whose periphery either the heavenly body or the center of the heavenly body's epicycle was supposed to be carried round. [1913 Webster]