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o be done at once; given the procrastination; delaying; procrastinating; loitering; as, a dilatory servant.

Not dilatory. [Obs.]

what should have been accomplished; not equally forward with some other person or thing; dilatory; backward; late; tardy; as, behindhand in studies or in work. In this also [dress] the country are very much behindhand. Addison.

Slow; tardy; dilatory; causing delay.

The quality of being dilatory; lateness; slowness; tardiness; sluggishness.

to, or in the manner of, the Roman general, Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus; cautious; dilatory; avoiding a decisive contest. Fabian policy, a policy like that of Fabius Maximus, who, by carefully avoiding decisive contests, foiled Hannibal, harassing his army by marches, countermarches, and ambuscades; a policy of…

To delay legislation, by dilatory motions or other artifices. [political cant or slang, U.S.] Bartlett.

Inclined to delay; dilatory. [Obs.] "When a man is too latered." Chaucer.

To be slow in moving; to delay; to linger; to be dilatory; to spend time idly; to saunter; to lag behind. Sir John, you loiter here too long. Shak. If we have loitered, let us quicken our pace. Rogers.

To delay; to be dilatory. I procrastinate more than I did twenty years ago. Swift.

Of or pertaining to procrastination; dilatory.

Dilatory; tedious; superfluous. [Obs.] "Lay by all nicety, and prolixious blushes." Shak.

Ready and quick to act as occasion demands; meeting requirements readily; not slow, dilatory, or hesitating in decision or action; responding on the instant; immediate; as, prompt in obedience or compliance; -- said of persons. Very discerning and prompt in giving orders. Clarendon. Tell him I am prompt To lay my crown…

Slowness; tardiness. These cardinals trifle with me; I abhor This dilatory sloth and tricks of Rome. Shak.

Not ready; not prompt or quick; dilatory; sluggish; as, slow of speech, and slow of tongue. Fixed on defense, the Trojans are not slow To guard their shore from an expected foe. Dryden.

Not dilatory or slow; quick; swift; nimble; hasty; rapid in motion or performance; as, a speedy flight; on speedy foot. I will wish her speedy strength. Shak. Darts, which not the good could shun, The speedy ould outfly. Dryden.

Not being inseason; late; dilatory; -- opposed to prompt; as, to be tardy in one's payments. Arbuthnot. The tardy plants in our cold orchards placed. Waller.