confer — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To grant as a possession; to bestow.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   afford

   Examples

   The college has conferred an honorary degree upon the visiting Prime Minister.

   Nor shall I count in hainous to enjoy The public marks of honour and reward Conferr'd upon me[…]

   More examples (4)

   Abel tried to refuse the honor thus unexpectedly conferred upon him, but it was no use. He had been made a deacon, and a deacon he must remain.

   Referring to the "hero of the day," No. 92220, Mr. Hanks acceded that she was not of the Great Western breed, but they had done their best to make up for that by "dollying her up in good old Western colours and conferring upon her the finest honour we can—the halo or crown of Swindon, the copper top to her chimney."

   The special immunities that are conferred on MPs were framed with the essential purpose of allowing them to speak freely in parliament.

   The mere existence of a dictionary of a certain variety of English does not automatically confer acceptance of that variety.

2. To talk together, to consult, discuss; to collogue.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Synonyms

   palaver

   Examples

   They were in a huddle, conferring about something.

   Local buttons popped when Henry Kissinger visited Little Rock last month to confer with Fulbright on the Middle East oil talks.

3. To compare.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

   Examples

   The Newe Testament ... Conferred diligently with the Greke, and best approued translations.

   Confer thine estate with others […]. Be content and rest satisfied, for thou art well in respect to others […].

   More examples (1)

   If we confer these observations with others of the like nature, we may find cause to rectify the general opinion.

4. To bring together; to collect, gather.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

5. To contribute; to conduce.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

   Examples

   The closeness and compactness of the parts resting together doth much confer to the strength of the union.

Verb

1. have a conference in order to talk something over

   Synonyms

   confabulateconfabconsult

   Broader terms

   hash outdiscusstalk over

   Examples

   We conferred about a plan of action

2. present

   Synonyms

   bestow

   Broader terms

   awardpresent

   Examples

   The university conferred a degree on its most famous former student, who never graduated

   bestow an honor on someone