confer
Definitions
To discuss something together, usually formally.
商讨；磋商
To grant or bestow (a title, degree, or right) on someone.
授予（头衔、学位、权利）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedcon- (together) + fer (carry) = 'to carry together.' Two senses developed from this: 1) people bring their views together to discuss (confer with colleagues), 2) an authority brings together status/recognition and bestows it (confer a degree). The image is of gathering and giving.
Root fer still carries 93 more wordsWhy It Means This
Confer's two senses look unrelated until you see the «carry together» image. Discussing is people carrying their thoughts together; bestowing a degree is the institution carrying its authority together with the recipient. In modern academic English, «confer a degree» (e.g., «the university conferred a PhD on her») is the standard formula for graduation ceremonies. The discussion sense («let me confer with my colleagues») is more common in legal, medical, and corporate contexts than in everyday speech.
Usage Guide
- Discuss: 'confer with colleagues,' 'confer on a decision' — formal consultation
- Bestow: 'confer a degree,' 'confer an honor,' 'confer citizenship' — granting by authority
- Patterns: «confer with someone» (discuss); «confer X on/upon someone» (bestow)
- Stress: con-FER (verb)
- Register: formal in both senses
Example Sentences
- 1.
The lawyers conferred briefly before continuing.
- 2.
The university will confer the degree next month.
- 3.
Knighthoods are conferred by the monarch.