tardily

Variant of tardy

tardy definition

tardy (tär)

adjective tardier -·dier, tardiest -·di·est

  1. slow in moving, acting, etc.
  2. behind time; late, delayed, or dilatory

Etymology: LME tardyve < OFr tardif < VL *tardivus < L tardus, slow, prob. < IE base *ter-, delicate, weak > Gr terēn, tender

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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in the midlands where I grew up, the word tardy was used as an insult or reproach to (especially) teenagers and children to describe their demeanour, and also had overtones of meaning sullen and unwilling. It was often used in connotation with the midland word mardy.

Posted by anonymous 104 days ago.

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