Delay
/dɪˈleɪ/noun
To put off or postpone something; a period of lateness.
Did you know?The word passed through Old French from a Latin root meaning “to entangle” or “entrap,” so the modern idea of being held back is built right into its history.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
distalliare
“to delay, put off”
Old French
Old French
delaiier
“to delay, postpone”
Middle English
English
delayen
“to put off, defer”
Modern English
English
delay
“to postpone or cause to be late”