Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Disposed to linger or delay.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective delaying; procrastinating

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Latin cunctor ("delay, impede").

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Examples

  • Then at last the timorous, cunctatory worshiper of femininity in the abstract declared himself and prayed to know if the good news could be true.

    The Life and Works of Friedrich Schiller Thomas, Calvin, 1854-1919 1901

  • Then at last the timorous, cunctatory worshiper of femininity in the abstract declared himself and prayed to know if the good news could be true.

    The Life and Works of Friedrich Schiller Calvin Thomas 1886

  • Sigurd was cautious, prudentially cunctatory, though heartily friendly in his counsel to Olaf as to the King question.

    Early Kings of Norway Thomas Carlyle 1838

Comments

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  • I'm going to have to work this word into a conversation this week, just to see the reaction.

    February 20, 2007

  • If it were more more well-known, it'd be a shoo-in for the No-No List.

    February 20, 2007

  • I have to say I can see why it *isn't* more well-known. :->

    February 20, 2007

  • Wow. I hurt my eyes.

    "Hey, Stan, the meeting started twenty minutes ago! You're cunctatory!"

    February 20, 2007

  • A hell of a thing to say to a guy!

    February 20, 2007

  • Definition: Disposed to delay.

    June 10, 2009

  • MUST use this word at work this week.

    July 21, 2009

  • Old Aesop once in drunken glory

    Concocted a famed but bunkum story

    Of rabbit and turtle.

    A tale ever fertile

    That comforts today the cunctatory.

    Also see comments at cunctative.

    June 7, 2018

  • I dig this change in meter. Makes one pause to Think

    June 9, 2018