Obs. [ad. late L. tardātiōn-em, n. of action f. tardāre to delay. Cf. OF. tardation (14th c. in Godef.).] The action of delaying, delay; slackening of speed, retardation. (In quot. 1601, want of motion, or stagnation.)
1500–20. Dunbar, Poems, lxxi. 35. Thy tardatioun caussis ws to think lang.
1601. Dolman, La Primaud. Fr. Acad., III. lix. 271. Raine-water … doth putrifie through tardation and slownes.
1674. Petty, Disc. Dupl. Proportion, 113. The degrees of Tardation, which Bullets make in … their way.
1727. Bailey, vol. II., Tardation, a Loitering, Lingering.
