Moving slowly or wasting time, taking much longer than necessary because you're not hurrying.
From an obscure origin, possibly from an older word meaning 'to toy with' or related to Scottish 'dault' (to fondle). The word has been used since at least the 1600s.
Dawdling is often judged negatively in fast-paced cultures, but it's actually a sign of attention—you're noticing details, enjoying small moments, which is why dawdlers often become artists or naturalists.
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