3. (Med.)
Defn: An instrument for expanding a part; as, a urethral dilator.
DILATORILY
Dil"a*to*ri*ly, adv.
Defn: With delay; tardily.
DILATORINESS
Dil"a*to*ri*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being dilatory; lateness; slowness; tardiness; sluggishness.
DILATORY
Dil"a*to*ry, a. Etym: [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 hiMotley. 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.