If you defer to someone, you accept their opinion or do what they want you to do, even when you do not agree with it yourself, because you respect them or their authority. Doctors are encouraged to defer to experts. to delay something until a later date = put back defer sth until/to sth (différer, from differre . defer to 1400-1500 déférer, from deferre )
If you defer an event or action, you arrange for it to happen at a later date, rather than immediately or at the previously planned time. Customers often defer payment for as long as possible = postpone, delay
A school can defer an applicant, if the school is undecided about the application, until a later admissions cycle or until more information is available An applicant can also seek to defer attendance
To submit to the opinion or desire of another in respect to their judgement or authority
[ t&, tu, 'tü ] (preposition.) before 12th century. Middle English, from Old English tO; akin to Old High German zuo to, Latin donec as long as, until.