delay

[dih-ley] /dɪˈleɪ/
verb (used with object)
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.
verb (used without object)
3.
to put off action; linger; loiter:
He delayed until it was too late.
noun
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.
Origin
1225-75; Middle English delaien (v.), delai(e) (noun) < Old French delaier (v.), delai (noun)
Related forms
delayable, adjective
delayer, noun
delayingly, adverb
predelay, noun, verb
undelayable, adjective
undelaying, adjective
undelayingly, adverb
Synonyms
1. See defer1 . 2. slow, detain. 3. procrastinate, tarry. 4. tarrying, dawdling. 5. deferment, postponement, respite.
Examples from the web for delay
  • They might delay the inevitable collapse of this house of cards, but it won't stop it.
  • Have you noticed that at stop lights there are always people who delay after the light goes to green then.
  • The delay is caused by the extra security features built into the new driving licence.
  • Note that in some cases, inconclusive data may require additional testing and might delay posting of results.
  • Or there could be a delay in their electronics that they didn't take into account.
  • But weather continues to threaten delay as wave after wave of tropical storms moves through the region.
  • Another option to consider when articles don't come through on time is to simply delay publication.
  • Nonstop flights are a boon, because connections increase the risk of a delay.
  • The satellite and its mission will not be affected by this launch delay.
  • Another is that patents can delay innovation as well as stimulate it.
British Dictionary definitions for delay

delay

/dɪˈleɪ/
verb
1.
(transitive) to put off to a later time; defer
2.
(transitive) to slow up, hinder, or cause to be late; detain
3.
(intransitive) to be irresolute or put off doing something; procrastinate
4.
(intransitive) to linger; dawdle
noun
5.
the act or an instance of delaying or being delayed
6.
the interval between one event and another; lull; interlude
Derived Forms
delayer, noun
Word Origin
C13: from Old French delaier, from des- off + laier, variant of laissier to leave, from Latin laxāre to loosen, from laxus slack, lax
Word Origin and History for delay
v.

c.1300, from Old French delaiier, from de- "away, from" (see de-) + laier "leave, let," probably a variant of Old French laissier, from Latin laxare "slacken, undo" (see lax). Related: Delayed; delaying.

n.

mid-13c., from Old French delaie, from delaiier (see delay (v.)).

Slang definitions & phrases for delay

delay

Related Terms

gapers' block