I. ˈtarē, -ri also ˈter- verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English tarien
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to cause (as a person) to stay or wait : delay , hinder
2. : to wait for or in expectation of
sitting down to tarry their return
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to delay or be tardy in acting or doing : procrastinate , dawdle
the men tarry about marriage — Jack Lusby
we could not tarry if we wanted to be there on time
b. : to stay or linger in expectation of a person or an event : wait
not tarrying long before the door is opened
2.
a. archaic : to remain or continue in a state or condition
b. : to abide or stay in or at a place : sojourn
no reason to tarry in this town — Elmer Davis
over the island a horrid stillness tarried — Jean Stafford
Synonyms: see stay
II. noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English tary, from tarien
: stay , sojourn
make some little tarry in this town — J.G.Whittier
III. ˈtärē, ˈtȧr-, -ri adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: tar (I) + -y
1. : of, resembling, or having the characteristics of tar
the room had a tarry , stuffy odor from the fire — Kenneth Roberts
2. : consisting of or covered with or as if with tar : tarred
tarry deposits are found in the cylinders — Malcolm McLaren