- delay (v.)
- c.1300, from Old French delaiier, from de- "away, from" (see de-) + laier "leave, let," probably a variant of Old French laissier, from Latin laxare "slacken, undo" (see lax). Related: Delayed; delaying.
- delay (n.)
- mid-13c., from Old French delaie, from delaiier (see delay (v.)).