Past tense of delay, meaning to have postponed or made something happen later than planned. Indicates something has been held back or slowed down.
From Old French 'delayer', from 'de-' (away) and 'layer' (to let or allow). The concept involves allowing time to pass before action, creating temporal distance.
The phrase 'delayed gratification' describes one of the most important psychological skills for success, yet the word 'delay' itself suggests allowing something to slip away. This paradox shows how postponement can be both a failure and a strategy.
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