confer

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to present

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

2. 2
   verb

   to have a conference in order to talk something over

   We conferred about a plan of action

3. 3
   verb

   To grant as a possession; to bestow.

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

4. 4
   verb

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

   They were in a huddle, conferring about something.

5. 5
   verb

   To compare.

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

6. 6
   verb

   To contribute; to conduce.

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

7. 7
   verb

   To bring together; to collect, gather.

8. 8
   name

   A surname.

Etymology

From Early Modern English conferre, from Middle French conférer, from Old French conferer, from Latin cōnferō. Compare Dutch confereren, German konferieren, Danish konferere, Swedish konferera. Doublet of collate. See also infer, relate and refer, delate and defer, as well as prelate and prefer among others.