To delay or stay longer than expected, or to move slowly and hesitantly.
From Middle English 'terien,' possibly related to Old Norse 'tyrja' meaning 'to delay.' The exact origin is uncertain, but it has been used since Middle English for delaying.
Tarry originally meant to get 'tarred' or stuck in one place, which is why it means to linger—being stuck by tar keeps you from moving!
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