dilatory

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /daɪˈleɪt(ə)ɹi/ UK /ˈdɪlət(ə)ɹi/ See IPA manual

Freq #162593

Meanings

1

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

A dilatory strategy.

Thesaurus

Word family

Forms dilatoriness

Derived forms bronchodilatorydilatorilydilatorinessindilatorypredilatoryundilatoryvasodilatory

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.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

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