delay etymology

Etymology:

The word "delay" comes from the Old French word "delaier," meaning "to put off, delay." This, in turn, is derived from the Late Latin word "dilatare," meaning "to widen, expand, put off."

Meaning and Origin:

"Delay" refers to the act of postponing or hindering something from happening. It implies a postponement or a period of time between two events.

The concept of delay has been present in many cultures and languages throughout history. In ancient Greek, the word "anabole" was used to describe a delay or postponement. In Latin, "mora" was the term for a delay or hindrance.

In English, "delay" has been used since the 12th century, initially in the sense of "to put off or defer." Over time, it has come to encompass the broader meaning of "to hinder or slow down."

Usage:

The word "delay" is often used in the context of:

  • Postponing events or tasks
  • Slowing down processes or activities
  • Hindering progress or achievement
  • Causing inconvenience or frustration

Examples:

  • "I had to delay my trip due to a family emergency."
  • "The project was delayed by construction setbacks."
  • "Traffic delays caused me to arrive late for my appointment."
  • "The delay in receiving payment has put me in a difficult financial situation."

delay relate terms

  • dilate

    Etymology Middle English dilaten from Old French dilater from Latin dilatāre from d

  • latitude

    Etymology The word latitude comes from the Middle French latitude which in turn der

  • delay

    Etymology The word delay comes from the Old French word delaier meaning to put off

  • dilated

    Etymology Latin dilatāre meaning to spread out widen Indo European root dhelh

  • rush

    Etymology The word rush has two distinct etymological origins Germanic origin Poss

  • check

    Etymology The word etymology comes from the Greek words etymon meaning true sense

  • detain

    Etymology Old French detenir Latin detinere from detinere to detain hold back Pre

  • demurrage

    Etymology Latin demorari which means to delay linger detain Meaning and Origi

  • moratorium

    Etymology The word moratorium comes from the Latin word moratorius which means del

  • demurrer

    Etymology Demurrer comes from the Old French word demurer meaning to stay delay or

  • demur

    Etymology The word demur comes from the Old French word demurer which means to dela

  • shilly shally

    Etymology and Origin The word shilly shally is a reduplication of shilly an archaic

  • defer

    Etymology and Meaning The word defer comes from the Latin word de meaning away or

  • catch

    Etymology The word catch comes from the Middle English word cacchen which itself der