Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CON-FER', v.t.

1. To give, or bestow; followed by on. Coronation confers on the king no royal authority. – South. This word is particularly used to express the grant of favors, benefits and privileges to be enjoyed, or rights which are to be permanent; as, to confer on one the privileges of a citizen; to confer a title or an honor.
2. To compare; to examine by comparison; literally, to bring together. [See Compare.] If we confer these observations with others of the like nature. – Boyle. [This sense, though genuine, is now obsolete.]
3. To contribute; to conduce to; that is, to bring to. The closeness of parts confers much to the strength of the union; – or intransitively, confers to the strength of the union. [Obs.] – Glanville.