Etymology Map
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Delay

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to make late or slow

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

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

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.