Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Deferent \Def"er*ent\, a. [L. deferens, p. pr. of deferre. See
   3d {Defer}.]
   Serving to carry; bearing. [R.] ``Bodies deferent.'' --Bacon.

Deferent \Def"er*ent\, n.
   1. That which carries or conveys.

            Though air be the most favorable deferent of sounds.
                                                  --Bacon.

   2. (Ptolemaic Astron.) An imaginary circle surrounding the
      earth, in whose periphery either the heavenly body or the
      center of the heavenly body's epicycle was supposed to be
      carried round.

Source : WordNet®

deferent
     adj : showing deference [syn: {deferential}, {regardful}]