confer

[kuh n-fur] /kənˈfɜr/
verb (used without object), conferred, conferring.
1.
to consult together; compare opinions; carry on a discussion or deliberation.
verb (used with object), conferred, conferring.
2.
to bestow upon as a gift, favor, honor, etc.:
to confer a degree on a graduate.
3.
Obsolete. to compare.
Origin
1400-50 for earlier sense “to summon”; 1520-30 for current senses; late Middle English conferen < Latin conferre to bring together, compare, consult with, equivalent to con- con- + ferre to carry, bear1
Related forms
conferment, noun
conferrable, adjective
conferrer, noun
nonconferrable, adjective
preconfer, verb (used without object), preconferred, preconferring.
reconfer, verb, reconferred, reconferring.
unconferred, adjective
well-conferred, adjective
Synonyms
1. See consult. 2. See give.
Examples from the web for confer
  • We may confer holiness by our collective interest in football.
  • But having a doctorate does not confer immunity from academic rage.
  • We go to conferences and meetings, pore over other publications, and routinely confer with our researcher sources and authors.
  • All college teachers require a dedicated corner where they can confer with their students.
  • The paradox of course is that paying someone to validate you socially does not actually confer any such validation.
  • But, of course, you are a prime example that intelligence does not confer wisdom or political neutrality.
  • Then they withdrew to a corner of the lobby to confer.
  • Then the socialist party wishes to confer with us, to try to make a connection between policy and philosophy.
  • The team also use their new ideas to study the spread of infections which do not confer immunity on recovered individuals.
  • But technological one-upmanship may confer a psychological advantage.
British Dictionary definitions for confer

confer

/kənˈfɜː/
verb -fers, -ferring, -ferred
1.
(transitive; foll by on or upon) to grant or bestow (an honour, gift, etc)
2.
(intransitive) to hold or take part in a conference or consult together
3.
(transitive) an obsolete word for compare
Derived Forms
conferment, conferral, noun
conferrable, adjective
conferrer, noun
Word Origin
C16: from Latin conferre to gather together, compare, from com- together + ferre to bring
Word Origin and History for confer
v.

1530s, from Middle French conférer (14c.) "to give, converse, compare," from Latin conferre "to bring together," figuratively "to compare; consult, deliberate, talk over," from com- "together" (see com-) + ferre "to bear" (see infer). Sense of "taking counsel" led to conference. The meaning "compare" (common 1530-1650) is largely obsolete, but the abbreviation cf. still is used in this sense. Related: Conferred; conferring.