dīlātĭo, ōnis, f. [differo, B. 3.],
I a putting off, delaying, deferring (good prose).
α With gen.: temporis, Cic. Phil. 3, 1, 2: comitiorum, id. de Imp. Pomp. 1, 2: belli, Liv. 9, 43; 45: foederis, id. 9, 5: exitii, Tac. A. 6, 4 fin. al.—
β Absol. : alter (consul) nullam dilationem patiebatur, Liv. 21, 52; 7, 14; 40, 57; Sen. de Ira, 3, 12: solatium dilationis et morae, Suet. Ner. 15; Vulg. Act. 25, 17 al.; in plur., Liv. 5, 5; Vell. 2, 79, al.—Esp. law t. t., the adjournment of a legal hearing or judgment: Cassius, interpellatis judicibus, dilationem petiit, Suet. Gram. 22.—
II The interval : spatiosa, Apul. M. 11, p. 262, 28.