I.v. dep. n. and a.
1. Neutr., to loiter, linger, tarry, delay (very rare): “me hic demoratam tam diu,” Plaut. Rud. 2, 4, 27: “ille nihil demoratus exsurgit,” Tac. A. 15, 69: “quamdiu legationis causa ibi demorantur,” Dig. 5, 1, 2, § 4: “in errore,” Vulg. Sirach, 17, 26; “diebus septem,” id. Act. 20, 6 al.—More freq. (and class.),
II. Act., to retard, detain, delay one: “diu me estis demorati,” Plaut. Epid. 3, 2, 40; cf.: ne diutius vos demorer, *Cic. de Or. 2, 58, 235: detinere aliquem et demorari, Lentul. in Cic. Fam. 12, 15: “nullo hoste prohibente aut iter demorante,” Caes. B. G. 3, 6 fin.; so, “repentinas eorum eruptiones,” id. B. C. 1, 81, 5: “novissimum agmen,” id. ib. 3, 75, 3; Tac. A. 12, 68.—Poet.: “Teucros quid demoror armis?” restrain from battle, Verg. A. 11, 175 (ab armis, Serv.): “fando surgentes demoror Austros,” Verg. A. 3, 481 (i. e. vos demoror quominus ventis utamini, Serv.): inutilis annos demoror, detain the years (sc. that hasten to an end), i. e. remain alive, Verg. A. 2, 648 (quasi festinantes diu vivendo detineo, Serv.): “mortalia demoror arma,” i. e. await, Verg. A. 10, 30 (exspecto, sustineo, Serv.).
