dilatory
UK /ˈdɪlət(ə)ɹi/ · US /ˈdɪləˌtɔɹi/ adjective
- adjective Intentionally delaying (someone or something), intended to cause delay, gain time, or adjourn decision.
- adjective Slow or tardy.
- adjective Relating to dilation; dilative.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English dilatorie, from Old French dilatoire, from Latin dīlātōrius (“extending or putting off (time)”), from dīlātor, from differō. Not etymologically related to delay.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Inclined to defer or put off what ought to be done at once; given the procrastination; delaying; procrastinating; loitering; as, a dilatory servant.
- adjective Marked by procrastination or delay; tardy; slow; sluggish; --said of actions or measures.
Etymology [L. dilatorius, fr. dilator a delayer, fr. dilatus, used as p. p. of differe to defer, delay: cf. F. dilatoire. See Dilate, Differ, Defer.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “dilatory”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details