Crossword clues for dilatory
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Dilatory \Dil"a*to*ry\, a. [L. dilatorius, fr. dilator a delayer, fr. dilatus, used as p. p. of differe to defer, delay: cf. F. dilatoire. See Dilate, Differ, Defer.]
Inclined to defer or put off what ought to be done at once; given the procrastination; delaying; procrastinating; loitering; as, a dilatory servant.
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Marked by procrastination or delay; tardy; slow; sluggish; -- said of actions or measures.
Alva, as usual, brought his dilatory policy to bear upon his adversary.
--Motley.Dilatory plea (Law), a plea designed to create delay in the trial of a cause, generally founded upon some matter not connected with the merits of the case.
Syn: Slow; delaying; sluggish; inactive; loitering; behindhand; backward; procrastinating. See Slow.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
late 15c., from Late Latin dilatorius, from dilator "procrastinator," from dilatus, serving as past participle of differe "delay" (see defer).
Wiktionary
a. 1 Intentionally delaying (someone or something), intended to cause delay, gain time, or defer decision. 2 slow or tardy.
WordNet
Usage examples of "dilatory".
Thus, filibuster includes the introduction of dilatory motions, intentional absence from the assembly to prevent a quorum, or lengthy speechmaking.
Left to herself, Jynx would doubtless have drifted into a dilatory spinsterhood, and Sir Malcolm had a strong wish to view at least one grandchild before he expired of old age.
Boers, is to remain the only language used in the Volksraad, and in dilatory phraseology paves the way for the ultimatum of October 9th.
The larger man, who was apparently the dilatory trainer Bob Smith, said his hellos and goodbyes to the passengers, and stood watching afterwards while I started the engine and taxied back to the other end of the strip to turn into wind for take-of[ The flight north was uneventful: I went up the easy way under the Amber One airway, navigating on the radio beacons at Daventry, Lichfield and Oldham.