CONFER • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Confer

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/kənfˈər/ Listen

verb

Confer v. t. (past & past part. conferred; pres. part. conferring)

To bring together for comparison; to compare. (Obs.) "If we confer these observations with others of the like nature, we may find cause to rectify the general opinion."

To grant as a possession; to bestow. "The public marks of honor and reward Conferred upon me."

To contribute; to conduce. (Obs.) "The closeness and compactness of the parts resting together doth much confer to the strength of the union."

Confer v. i. To have discourse; to consult; to compare views; to deliberate. "Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered." "You shall hear us confer of this."

Synonyms: To counsel; advise; discourse; converse.

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Etymology of 'Confer'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Confer" Quotes from Famous Books

... Both of these sentiments found a ready response from Burns. The one was exemplified by the old lady conferring knighthood on him and his companion with the actual sword of King Robert, which she had in her possession, remarking as she did it, that she had a better right to confer the title than some folk. Another sentiment she charmed the poet by expressing in the toast she gave after dinner, "Hooi Uncos," that is, Away Strangers, a word used by shepherds when they bid their collies drive away strange ...

— Robert Burns • Principal Shairp

... the utility of a plan for colonizing the free people of color, with whom our country abounds, it is natural that we should be first struck by its tendency to confer a benefit on ourselves, by ridding us of a population for the most part idle and useless, and too often vicious and mischievous.' * * * 'Such a class must evidently be a burden and a nuisance to the community; and every scheme which affords a prospect of removing so great an evil ...

— Thoughts on African Colonization • William Lloyd Garrison

... made to my marriage, I ardently desire that it may be the parish priest of Maleszow who will give us the nuptial benediction; the prince palatine has promised me to do all he can; at least, he will be the representative of my parents, and will confer a small degree of propriety upon the ceremony. Barbara's destiny is ever in my thoughts! I deemed her wishes very modest when she said to me: 'Strive to be as happy as I am!' Alas! her happiness is immense, when ...

— The Continental Monthly, Volume V. Issue I • Various

... History. I own my memory is much decayed; but still I think I could not have forgotten a matter of so much consequence, and which must have given me so great a pleasure. It is fresh in my mind, that Lord Oxford and the Auditor desired you to confer with me upon the subject matter of it; that we accordingly did so; and that the conclusion was, you would bury everything in oblivion. We reported this to those two, I mean to his lordship and his uncle, and they acquiesced ...

— The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift, Vol. X. • Jonathan Swift

... the strangeness of this adventure, there arrived certain messengers from the king, who were empowered by him to confer upon Macbeth the dignity of thane of Cawdor: an event so miraculously corresponding with the prediction of the witches astonished Macbeth, and he stood wrapped in amazement, unable to make reply to the messengers; and in that point of time swelling ...

— Tales from Shakespeare • Charles and Mary Lamb

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