Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DIL'A-TO-RY, a. [Fr. dilatoire; It. dilatorio; Low L. dilatorius, from differo, dilatus. See Delay, and Dilate.]

1. Literally, drawing out or extending in time: hence, slow; late; tardy; applied to things; as, dilatory councils or measures.
2. Given to procrastination; not proceeding with diligence; making delay; slow; late; applied to persons; as, a dilatory messenger. A man is dilatory when he delays attendance, or performance of business, beyond the proper time.
3. In law, intended to make delay; tending to delay; as, a dilatory plea, which is designed or which tends to delay the trial of a cause. – Blackstone.