Dilatory Definition

dĭlə-tôrē
adjective
Causing or tending to cause delay; meant to gain time, defer action, etc.
Webster's New World
Characterized by or given to delay or slowness.
Dilatory in his work habits.
American Heritage
Inclined to delay; slow or late in doing things.
Webster's New World

Intentionally delaying (someone or something), intended to cause delay, gain time, or defer decision.

A dilatory strategy.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
Antonyms:

Origin of Dilatory

  • Middle English dilatorie from Latin dīlātōrius from dīlātor delayer from dīlātus past participle of differre to delay dī-, dis- apart dis– lātus carried telə- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Dilatory Sentence Examples

  • The proceedings were dilatory, and the attitude of the Dutch deputies exceedingly exasperating.

  • In 1639 he was as active in arms in the north as Hamilton, on the king's side, was dilatory and helpless in the south.

  • Incensed by the dilatory and factious proceedings of the House, Cromwell dismissed the parliament on the 22nd of January 1655.

  • Britain was a somewhat dilatory in providing letter boxes.

  • Civil and criminal courts are both corrupt and dilatory.

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Words Starting With

DDIDIL

Words Ending With

YRYORY

Unscrambles

dilatory

Words Starting With D and Ending With Y

Starts With D & Ends With YStarts With DI & Ends With YStarts With D & Ends With RY

Word Length

8 Letter Words8 Letter Words Starting With D8 Letter Words Ending With Y