dilatoriness
(ˈdɪlətərɪnɪs)
Forms: see dilatory.
[f. next + -ness.]
The quality of being dilatory; tendency to procrastination or delay.
| 1642 in Rushw. Hist. Coll. iii. (1692) I. 610 Lest his Majesty should think it a delatoriness in the Parliament to return an Answer. 1667 Waterhouse Fire Lond. 95 The sluggards dilatoriness is upon men; and they will sit still a little longer. 1718 Free-thinker No. 56. 4 The Holy See proceeded with its usual dilatoriness in that Affair. 1825 Scott Jrnl. 7 Dec., Letters..lying on my desk like snakes, hissing at me for my dilatoriness. 1861 M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 38 His delay in setting out was due to pure procrastination and dilatoriness. |