gen. The action of slowing down or delaying something, esp. with regard to progress or development; an instance of this; (also) the fact or…

The action of delaying, delay; slackening of speed, retardation. (In quot. 1601, want of motion, or stagnation.)

An instance or episode of being held up or kept waiting; a period of time during which action is held up. Also: the fact of being delayed; hindrance…

The action of retard, v. (in various senses); an instance of this.

A keeping from going on or proceeding; hindrance to progress; compulsory delay.

A hindrance, an obstacle, an impediment; = remora, n. 2a.

Retardation (in various senses); an instance of this.

= tardation, n.

The action of putting or moving back; a throwing back in progress; retardation.

Retarding, delay.

Constrained delay, detention. Obsolete. rare.

The action of deferring or postponing something, or of slowing something down; delay.

a military engagement fought to delay the advance of enemy forces; also figurative and in extended use.

The action of delaying proceedings; delay. Cf. heel-tap, v.2