dally away

- 2 dictionary results

dal⋅ly

[dal-ee]

verb, -lied, -ly⋅ing.

–verb (used without object)

1.	to waste time; loiter; delay.

2.	to act playfully, esp. in an amorous or flirtatious way.

3.	to play mockingly; trifle: to dally with danger.

–verb (used with object)

4.	to waste (time) (usually fol. by away).

Origin:
1250–1300; ME dalien < AF dalier to chat, of uncert. orig.

Related forms:

dal⋅li⋅er, noun

dal⋅ly⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. See loiter. 2. flirt, tease, trifle. 3. toy.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source

Word Origin & History

dally

c.1300, possibly from Anglo-Fr. dalier "to amuse oneself," of uncertain origin.

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