tarry
LowLiterary or Archaic
Definition
Meaning
To delay or linger, especially when one should be moving on.
In literary or archaic contexts, it can imply hesitation or temporary stay; also as an adjective meaning covered with or resembling tar.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used in negative constructions or imperatives (e.g., 'tarry not'). The verb is typically intransitive and can be followed by prepositions like 'at', 'over', or 'on'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; both varieties consider it archaic.
Connotations
Poetic, old-fashioned, or formal in both British and American English.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, primarily found in literary or historical contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
intransitivetarry at + locationtarry over + activityVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Tarry not (archaic imperative meaning do not delay)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used; if used, metaphorically for project delays or indecision.
Academic
Found in literary analysis, historical texts, or poetry studies.
Everyday
Almost never used in modern spoken English; considered outdated.
Technical
Not applicable in technical fields.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He tarried awhile before making his decision.
- Do not tarry; we must leave at once.
American English
- He tarried a while before deciding.
- Don't tarry; we need to go now.
adjective
British English
- The tarry substance made the road slippery.
- He had tarry hands from working with coal.
American English
- The tarry material caused the pavement to be sticky.
- His hands were tarry from the repair work.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Don't tarry on your way home.
- Why do you tarry here?
- If you tarry, you might miss the bus.
- She tarried at the park to enjoy the sunshine.
- Despite the urgency, he tarried over his morning coffee.
- The knight was told not to tarry on his quest.
- His tendency to tarry in making decisions often led to missed opportunities.
- In the poem, the lover tarries by the river, lost in thought.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Associate 'tarry' with 'tar' – imagine being stuck in tar, causing you to delay or linger.
Conceptual Metaphor
Delay as being impeded or weighed down, like moving through a viscous substance.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- May be confused with 'tar' (смола) or 'terry' (махровая ткань). The verb translates to задерживаться, but the word is archaic in English.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'tarry' in contemporary speech where 'delay' or 'linger' is more appropriate.
- Mispronouncing as /ˈtɑːri/ when referring to the verb meaning to delay.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'tarry' mean in this sentence: 'He tarried at the crossroads, unsure which path to take.'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered archaic or literary and is rarely used in everyday conversation.
Yes, as an adjective, it means covered with or resembling tar, but this usage is also uncommon.
As a verb meaning to delay, it is pronounced /ˈtæri/ in both British and American English. The adjective meaning covered with tar is pronounced /ˈtɑːri/ in both varieties.
Synonyms include delay, linger, dawdle, and loiter, depending on the context.