Dilatory \Dil"a*to*ry\, a. [L. dilatorius, fr. dilator a delayer, fr. dilatus, used as p. p. of differe to defer, delay: cf. F. dilatoire. See {Dilate}, {Differ}, {Defer}.] 1. Inclined to defer or put off what ought to be done at once; given the procrastination; delaying; procrastinating; loitering; as, a dilatory servant. 2. Marked by procrastination or delay; tardy; slow; sluggish; -- said of actions or measures. Alva, as usual, brought his dilatory policy to bear upon hi? adversary. --Motley. {Dilatory plea} (Law), a plea designed to create delay in the trial of a cause, generally founded upon some matter not connected with the merits of the case. Syn: Slow; delaying; sluggish; inactive; loitering; behindhand; backward; procrastinating. See {Slow}. web1913

dilatory adj 1: inclined to waste time and lag behind [syn: {laggard}] 2: wasting time [syn: {dawdling}, {laggard}, {poky}, {pokey}] 3: using cautious slow strategy to wear down opposition; avoiding direct confrontation; "a fabian policy" [syn: {fabian}] wn