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

\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.