Dilatory

[Fr. dilatoire; Lat. dilator i us, from dif fero, dilatum. See DILATE.] Slow; late; tardy; given to procrastination; disposed to delay or put off anything. "And wit depends on dilatory time." - Shaks . -Attended with delay, sluggishne , loitering, or procras tination. "A dilatory temper commits cruelties without design."- Add is on . -Intended or tending to cause delay, or gain time; as, a dilatory policy. ( Law .) A D. plea is a plea which goes to defeat the particular action brought, merely; and which does not answer as to the general right of the plaintiff.