différance

== English == === Etymology === From French différance (“deferral”) (coined in this sense by Derrida), from différer (“to defer”); but punning on différence (“difference”). === Noun === différance (uncountable) (literary theory, linguistics) The endless deferral of any ultimate meaning in a word or sentence, owing to the necessity of recourse to a potentially infinite series of other, equally uncertain words or signs. ==== Translations ==== == French == === Etymology === Coined by Jacques Derrida in 1959 from différer +‎ -ance, as a pun on the homophonous word différence. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /di.fe.ʁɑ̃s/ Homophone: différence === Noun === différance f (plural différances) (literary theory, linguistics) différance