delay

 
Pronunciation: /dɪˈleɪ/

verb

[with object]
  • make (someone or something) late or slow: the train was delayed
  • [no object] be late or slow; loiter: time being of the essence, they delayed no longer
  • postpone or defer (an action): he may decide to delay the next cut in interest rates

noun

  • a period of time by which something is late or postponed: a two-hour delay long delays in obtaining passports
  • [mass noun] the action of delaying or being delayed: I set off without delay
  • Electronics the time interval between the propagation of an electrical signal and its reception.
  • an electronic device which introduces a delay, especially in an audio signal.

Derivatives

delayer

noun

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French delayer (verb)