adj.
Pronunciation: ' di-l ə - ˌ to ̇ r- ē
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French dilatorie, Late Latin dilatorius, from Latin differre (pp. dilatus ) to postpone, differ ― more at DIFFER , TOLERATE
Date: 15th century
1 : tending or intended to cause delay < dilatory tactics>
2 : characterized by procrastination : TARDY < dilatory in paying bills>
– dil · a · to · ri · ly \ ˌ di-l ə - ' to ̇ r- ə -l ē \ adverb
– dil · a · to · ri · ness \ ' di-l ə - ˌ to ̇ r- ē -n ə s \ noun