verb
tarry
TAIR-ee/ˈtæri/
To delay leaving or stay longer than expected.
The customer tarries over his drink while the café employee waits to close.
Etymology
Middle English tarien meant to delay acting or procrastinate. That general idea of delay developed into lingering in a place: postponing departure rather than postponing an action.
In context
Let us now set battle in array; it is not well to tarry talking about trifles, for there is a deed which is as yet to do.
More examples
- Don't tarry after class, or you'll miss the bus.
- They tarried at the café long after finishing their coffee.
- She tarries in the doorway to ask one more question.
Forms
tarry · tarries · tarried · tarrying