# delay

Pronunciation: say "di-LAY" US /dəˈleɪ/, UK /dɪˈleɪ/

## Noun

1. A period of time before something happens, or the act of holding something off or lingering without acting.
   - Simple: A wait before something happens, or the act of putting something off.
   - _The flight's delay stretched into several hours._
   - _Without delay, she signed the contract and mailed it back._
5. An audio effects unit that repeats a signal after a set, adjustable time gap, creating echo-like effects.
   - Simple: A music device that repeats a sound a moment after you play it.
   - _The engineer used delay to thicken the vocal track._
   - _A short delay can make a single guitar sound like two._
6. In timed chess, a span at the start of each move before the player's clock begins counting down; a less common time control than increment.
   - Simple: In chess, extra seconds at the start of each move before your clock starts to count down.
   - _The time control gave each player a three-second delay per move._
   - _Unlike increment, a delay does not add saved time to your clock._
7. In programming, an object that represents a result expected to become available later; a synonym of promise.
   - Simple: In computer programming, an object that stands for a result that is not ready yet.
   - _The library wraps each request in a delay so the program can keep working._
   - _Code waits on the delay until the computation produces a result._

## Verb

2. To put something off until a later time; to defer it.
   - Simple: To put something off until a later time.
   - _The company delayed the product launch until spring._
   - _We may need to delay the meeting by a week._
3. To slow, hinder, or temporarily stop something or someone.
   - Simple: To slow something down or stop it for a short time.
   - _Heavy fog can delay flights across the region._
   - _The strike delayed shipments for nearly a week._
4. To wait, hesitate, or linger instead of proceeding.
   - Simple: To wait or move slowly instead of acting right away.
   - _He delayed too long, and the offer expired._
   - _If you delay, the chance may slip away._

## Verb

8. To soothe or temper a feeling, mood, or intensity. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To calm or ease a strong feeling.
9. To dilute or weaken something by mixing, or to temper its strength. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To make a liquid weaker by mixing in water.
10. To assuage, quench, or relieve a need, appetite, or feeling. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To satisfy or put an end to a need such as thirst.

## Origin

**Meanings 1–8** — From Middle English delaien, borrowed from Anglo-Norman delaier and Old French deslaier, formed from des- plus Old French laier ("to leave"). It is a doublet of dally and is related to Old English latian ("to delay, hesitate") and lǣfan ("to leave"), ultimately from Germanic roots meaning "to delay, hinder" and "to leave."
**Meanings 9–10** — From Middle English delaien, from Old French delaiier, a variant of delaissier.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/delay (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).