différant

Différant is the present participle of the French verb différer. In principle, it denotes the act of delaying or postponing, and it can function as an adjective describing something that causes a delay. In contemporary usage, however, the form différant is rare and sounds stylistically old or learned. More common ways to express postponement or delay in French are the noun or past participle forms such as différé (deferred) or the adverbial construction en différant (while delaying).

The verb différer itself has two main senses: to defer or postpone, and to differ or be unlike. The present participle différant would align with the delaying sense, but because this participial form is seldom produced in modern prose, speakers typically use other constructions to convey postponement or contrast.

Etymology: diffèrent traces its origin to the Latin differre, meaning to carry apart or to defer, composed of dis- (apart) and ferre (to carry). The modern French verb retains the dual sense of postponement and difference, while the participial form différant remains stylistically uncommon.

Related forms and usage notes: The adjective différent means “different” and is widely used to indicate distinction. The past participle différé means “deferred” or “delayed,” and the gerund en différant conveys the idea of delaying. When expressing difference or delay in fluent French, it is generally better to prefer différent, différé, or en différant rather than the rarely encountered différant.

See also: différer, différé, différent.