Tar″dy (?), a. [Compar.Tardier (?); superl.Tardiest.] [F. tardif, fr. (assumed) LL. tardivus, fr. L. tardus slow.] 1. Moving with a slow pace or motion; slow; not swift.
And check the tardy flight of time. Sandys.
Tardy to vengeance, and with mercy brave. Prior.
2. 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.
3. Unwary; unready. Hudibras.
4. Criminal; guilty. Collier.
Syn. — Slow; dilatory; tedious; reluctant. See Slow.