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. [Obs.]
Hudibras.
4. Criminal; guilty. [Obs.]
Collier.
Syn. -- Slow; dilatory; tedious; reluctant. See Slow.
Tar"dy, v. t. To make tardy.
[Obs.] Shak.