Part 3116

<p><b>3.</b> <fld>(Med.)</fld> <def>An instrument for expanding a part; <as>as, a urethral <ex>dilator</ex></as>.</def>

<h1>Dilatorily</h1> <Xpage=412>

<hw>Dil"a*to*ri*ly</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>adv.</tt> <def>With delay; tardily.</def>

<h1>Dilatoriness</h1> <Xpage=412>

<hw>Dil"a*to*ri*ness</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>The quality of being dilatory; lateness; slowness; tardiness; sluggishness.</def>

<h1>Dilatory</h1> <Xpage=412>

<hw>Dil"a*to*ry</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>dilatorius</ets>, fr. <ets>dilator</ets> a delayer, fr. <ets>dilatus</ets>, used as p. p. of <ets>differe</ets> to defer, delay: cf. F. <ets>dilatoire</ets>. See <er>Dilate</er>, <er>Differ</er>, <er>Defer</er>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>Inclined to defer or put off what ought to be done at once; given the procrastination; delaying; procrastinating; loitering; <as>as, a <ex>dilatory</ex> servant</as>.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Marked by procrastination or delay; tardy; slow; sluggish; -- said of actions or measures.</def>

<blockquote>Alva, as usual, brought his <b>dilatory</b> policy to bear upon hi<?/ adversary. <i>Motley.</i></blockquote>

<cs><col>Dilatory plea</col> <fld>(Law)</fld>, <cd>a plea designed to create delay in the trial of a cause, generally founded upon some matter not connected with the merits of the case.</cd></cs>

<syn>Syn. -- Slow; delaying; sluggish; inactive; loitering; behindhand; backward; procrastinating. See <er>Slow</er>.</syn>

<h1>Dildo</h1> <Xpage=412>

<hw>Dil"do</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>A burden in popular songs.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>Delicate burthens of <b>dildos</b> and fadings. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Dildo</h1> <Xpage=412>

<hw>Dil"do</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <fld>(Bot.)</fld> <def>A columnar cactaceous plant of the West Indies (<spn>Cereus Swartzii</spn>).</def>

<h1>Dilection</h1> <Xpage=412>

<hw>Di*lec"tion</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>dilectio</ets>: <ets>dilection</ets>. See <er>Diligent</er>.]</ety> <def>Love; choice.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>T. Martin.</i>

<h1>Dilemma</h1> <Xpage=412>

<hw>Di*lem"ma</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>dilemma</ets>, Gr. <?/; <?/- = <?/ twice + <?/ to take. See <er>Lemma</er>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <fld>(Logic)</fld> <def>An argument which presents an antagonist with two or more alternatives, but is equally conclusive against him, whichever alternative he chooses.</def>

<note>&hand; The following are instances of the <i>dilemma</i>. A young rhetorician applied to an old sophist to be taught the art of pleading, and bargained for a certain reward to be paid when he should gain a cause. The master sued for his reward, and the scholar endeavored to <?/lude his claim by a <i>dilemma</i>. "If I gain my cause, I shall withhold your pay, because the judge's award will be against you; if I lose it, I may withhold it, because I shall not yet have gained a cause." "On the contrary," says the master, "if you gain your cause, you must pay me, because you are to pay me when you gain a cause; if you lose it, you must pay me, because the judge will award it."</note>

<i>Johnson.</i>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>A state of things in which evils or obstacles present themselves on every side, and it is difficult to determine what course to pursue; a vexatious alternative or predicament; a difficult choice or position.</def>

<blockquote>A strong <b>dilemma</b> in a desperate case! To act with infamy, or quit the place. <i>Swift.</i></blockquote>

<cs><col>Horns of a dilemma</col>, <cd>alternatives, each of which is equally difficult of encountering.</cd></cs>