dilatio
κατὰ τὸν δεύτερον, φασί, πλοῦν τὰ ἐλάχιστα ληπτέον τῶν κακῶν → we must as second best, as people say, take the least of the evils
Latin > English (Lewis & Short)
dīlātĭo: ōnis, f. differo, B. 3.,
I a putting off, delaying, deferring (good prose).
(a) With gen.: temporis, Cic. Phil. 3, 1, 2: comitiorum, id. de Imp. Pomp. 1, 2: belli, Liv. 9, 43; 45: foederis, id. 9, 5: exitii, Tac. A. 6, 4 fin. al.—
(b) Absol.: alter (consul) nullam dilationem patiebatur, Liv. 21, 52; 7, 14; 40, 57; Sen. de Ira, 3, 12: solatium dilationis et morae, Suet. Ner. 15; Vulg. Act. 25, 17 al.; in plur., Liv. 5, 5; Vell. 2, 79, al.—Esp. law t. t., the adjournment of a legal hearing or judgment: Cassius, interpellatis judicibus, dilationem petiit, Suet. Gram. 22.—
II The interval: spatiosa, Apul. M. 11, p. 262, 28.
Latin > French (Gaffiot 2016)
dīlātĭō,¹¹ ōnis, f. (differo),
1 délai, remise, ajournement, sursis : dilatio comitiorum Cic. Pomp. 2, ajournement des comices ; bellum per dilationes gerere Liv. 5, 5, 1, faire la guerre avec des atermoiements
2 écartement, intervalle : Apul. M. 11, 11.
