delay

Where does the word "delay" come from? It comes from Latin dilatare, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Delay’s story begins in Latin: dilatare meant “to spread out, put off.” The same root as 'dilate'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as delaier. Possibly influenced by 'laier', to leave. It reached English by 1200s as delay. 'without delay' is a medieval legal phrase. Today, delay means to make late or slow.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient dilatare "to spread out, put off", the same root as 'dilate'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval delaier "to postpone", possibly influenced by 'laier', to leave.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s delay "to postpone", 'without delay' is a medieval legal phrase.