Doesn't this word bring back memories? Back in middle school, if you weren't in class by the time the bell rang, you had to go down to the office and get a tardy slip. They had these two-layered slips with carbon duplication that presumably they kept on file, and you had to bring it to your teacher to prove that you knew you were late.

God, I'm glad I'm out of there.

Tar"dy (?), a. [Compar. Tardier (?); superl. Tardiest.] [F. tardif, fr. (assumed) LL. tardivus, fr. L. tardus slow.]

1.

Moving with a slow pace or motion; slow; not swift.

And check the tardy flight of time. Sandys.

Tardy to vengeance, and with mercy brave. Prior.

2.

Not being inseason; late; dilatory; -- opposed to prompt; as, to be tardy in one's payments.

Arbuthnot.

The tardy plants in our cold orchards placed. Waller.

3.

Unwary; unready.

[Obs.]

Hudibras.

4.

Criminal; guilty.

[Obs.]

Collier.

Syn. -- Slow; dilatory; tedious; reluctant. See Slow.

 

© Webster 1913.


Tar"dy, v. t.

To make tardy.

[Obs.]

Shak.

 

© Webster 1913.

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