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
The definition of dilatory is someone who causes delay or is slow to take action.
An example of dilatory is a person who asks a million questions and demands extensive research simply to slow a project down.
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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

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