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Where does the word "confer" come from? It comes from Latin conferre, and was adopted directly into English (1530s).
Read the full story
Where does the word "confer" come from? It comes from Latin conferre, and was adopted directly into English (1530s).
Confer’s story begins in Latin: conferre meant “to bring together.” To bring together, to compare, from com- (together) and ferre (to carry). It reached English by 1530s as confer. Settled as the English word for discussing something with others, or granting something. Today, confer means to discuss something with others to reach a decision, or to grant a right or title.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient conferre "to bring together", to bring together, to compare, from com- (together) and ferre (to carry).
- Stage 2 · English · 1530s confer "to discuss something with others, or to grant something", settled as the English word for discussing something with others, or granting something.