v. de·layed, de·lay·ing, de·lays v.tr. 1. To postpone until a later time; defer. 2. To cause to be later or slower than expected or desired: Heavy traffic delayed us. v.intr. To act or move slowly; put off an action or a decision. n. 1. The act of delaying; postponement: responded without delay. 2. The condition of being delayed; detainment. 3. The period of time during which one is delayed. 4. The interval of time between two events. [Middle English delaien, from Anglo-Norman delaier, from Old French deslaier : des-, de- + laier, to leave, of Germanic origin; see leip- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] de·layer n. |
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