CHAPTER XII: THE RESPECTABLE

In the previous chapter, when we mentioned VENERATION and ESTEEM, we also alluded to DEFERENCE, which refers to RESPECTFUL BEHAVIOR. DEFERENCE is formed from its verb DEFER. The word DEFER, as it is ambiguous, is a tricky one. When we DEFER to a person, we respect or are polite to him or her. For instance, we may DOFF our hat in respect of him or her. (Incidentally, the word DOFF can mean TAKE OFF or REMOVE especially some item of dress. DON, which means to PUT ON or WEAR some clothes, is an exact antonym of DOFF. (DON x DOFF.) At the same time DEFER can also mean DELAY or KEEP ASIDE. If we DEFER a meeting we PROCRASTINATE or POSTPONE it. So, the term DEFER denotes different things in different contexts. DEFER: 1. BE POLITE, BE CIVIL, BE RESPECTFUL

2. PROCRASTINATE, POSTPONE, DELAY,SHELVE,TABLE

Also, let’s remember that DEFERENCE means RESPECTFUL BEHAVIOR and DEFERMENT means POSTPONEMENT. The term DEFERRABLE denotes that which can be postponed or that which is not urgent, and DEFERENTIAL means full of respect. Hence, EXIGENT (URGENT & DEMANDING) x DEFERRABLE DEFERENTIAL x BOORISH (RUDE IN BEHAVIOR) Look at one of the synonyms of DEFER, i. e., TABLE. In American English TABLE as a verb means to SHELVE or KEEP ASIDE. It is an exact opposite of CONSIDER, i.e., TAKE UP. CONSIDER x TABLE DEFERENCE, as we have seen, refers to mild form of RESPECT. When RESPECT deepens we term it VENERATION or ESTEEM. Just as ASTONISHMENT is a greater degree of SURPRISE, or ADULATION is a greater degree of LOVE, or TERROR and PANIC are greater degrees of APPREHENSION, VENERATION is a greater degree of DEFERENCE. This type of intensity-relationship is one of the associations we find in problems of analogies. DEFERENCE: ESTEEM or VENERATION is the same as REGRET or REMORSE: PENITENCE or CONTRITION is the same as SURPRISE: ASTONISHMENT or AMAZEMENT is the same as JOY or PLEASURE: ECSTASY or EUPHORIA is the same as PECCADILLO (minor misbehavior): SIN or CRIME is the same as MISGIVINGS or APPREHENSION: TERROR or PANIC is the same as AFFECTION: ADULATION or ADORATION In all the above relationships, the second term is greater in its intensity than the first.