Etymology

dilatory

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Today it means: Intentionally delaying (someone or something), intended to cause delay, gain time, or adjourn decision. Full definition →

Middle English dilatorie ← Old French dilatoire ← Latin dīlātōrius
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The story

  1. Latin · derived fromdīlātōrius“extending or putting off (time)”
  2. Old French · derived fromdilatoire
  3. Middle English · inherited fromdilatorie
  4. English todaydilatory

From Middle English dilatorie, from Old French dilatoire, from Latin dīlātōrius (“extending or putting off (time)”), from dīlātor, from differō. Not etymologically related to delay.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.