Confer, v.t. [imp. & p. p. Conferred; p. pr. & vb. n. Conferring.]
Etymology: [L. conferre to bring together, contribute, consult; con- + ferre to bear: cf. F. conférer. See 1st Bear.]
1. To bring together for comparison; to compare. [Obs.] If we confer these observations with others of the like nature, we may find cause to rectify the general opinion. Boyle.
2. To grant as a possession; to bestow. The public marks of honor and reward Conferred upon me. Milton.
3. To contribute; to conduce. [Obs.] The closeness and compactness of the parts resting together doth much confer to the strength of the union. Glanvill.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Confer, v. i.
To have discourse; to consult; to compare views; to deliberate. Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered. Acts xxv. 12. You shall hear us confer of this. Shak.
Syn. -- To counsel; advise; discourse; converse.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for confer; he lists it under deliberate, give.
Where he writes about it:
Consult and confer always imply two or more persons, as does debate, unless expressly limited as above. — from deliberate
Confer suggests the interchange of counsel, advice, or information; consult indicates almost exclusively the receiving of it. — from deliberate
A man confers with his associates about a new investment; he consults his physician about his health; he may confer with him on matters of general interest. — from deliberate
He consults a dictionary, but does not confer with it. — from deliberate
To speak of granting a favor carries a claim or concession of superiority on the part of the one by whom the grant may be made; to confer has a similar sense; as, to confer a degree or an honor; we grant a request or petition, but do not confer it. — from give