— delayable , adj. — delayer , n. — delayingly , adv.
/di lay"/ , v.t.
1. to put off to a later time; defer; postpone: The pilot delayed the flight until the weather cleared.
2. to impede the process or progress of; retard; hinder: The dense fog delayed the plane's landing.
v.i.
3. to put off action; linger; loiter: He delayed until it was too late.
n.
4. the act of delaying; procrastination; loitering.
5. an instance of being delayed: There were many delays during the train trip.
6. the period or amount of time during which something is delayed: The ballet performance began after a half-hour delay.
[ 1225-75; ME delaien (v.), delai ( e ) (n.) delaier (v.), delai (n.) ]
Syn. 1. See defer 1 . 2. slow, detain. 3. procrastinate, tarry. 4. tarrying, dawdling. 5. deferment, postponement, respite.