dilatorio

dilatory, delaying

adjective dee-lah-TOH-ryoh Rare

Origin: From Latin dilatorius, from dilator (one who delays).

Usage Note

Dilatorio is a formal, primarily legal and political term describing tactics or measures designed to cause delay rather than resolve a matter. The phrase manovra dilatoria (delaying manoeuvre) is frequently used in parliamentary and judicial contexts. It is rarely heard in casual speech.

Examples

"La difesa ha adottato tattiche dilatorie per rallentare il processo."

Natural Translation

The defence adopted delaying tactics to slow the trial.

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