What does "tardy" mean?

Tardy: Not being inseason; late; dilatory; -- opposed to prompt; as, to be tardy in one's payments. Arbuthnot. The tardy plants in our cold orchards placed. Waller.

Additional senses

  1. 2.Unwary; unready. [Obs.] Hudibras.
  2. 3.Criminal; guilty. [Obs.] Collier. See Slow.
  3. 4.To make tardy. [Obs.] Shak.

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