Slow to act or intended to cause delay; procrastinating or characterized by postponement. It describes behavior that puts off action or decision-making, often deliberately.
From Latin 'dilatorius,' from 'dilator' meaning 'delayer' (from 'differre': dis- 'apart' + ferre 'to carry'). Originally a legal term for tactics used to delay court proceedings.
Think 'delay-atory' - dilatory behavior is all about delay! Like 'laboratory' is where you labor, 'dilatory' describes the tendency to delay. Politicians often use dilatory tactics to stall legislation.
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