Undelayed

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Taking place without any postponement or hindrance
2. Happening immediately without waiting or any form of hold-up
3. Occurs straightaway without any lapse in time or interruption

Etymology: "Undelayed" is a plain formation: the prefix "un-", meaning "not", attached to "delayed," the past participle of "delay." The prefix is an old Germanic element that English has used freely for centuries to reverse or negate adjectives and participles, so "undelayed" simply means "not delayed," with the sense of something happening promptly, without postponement or hindrance. The base word "delay" traces back through Anglo-French "delaier" to a Latin root meaning "to leave behind" or "to put off," from "de-" (away) and a word for "late" or "slow." The idea of putting something off to a later time is built into it from the start. Adding "un-" flips that idea, so the adjective describes an action that has not been put off at all.

Synonyms: immediate, instant, prompt, quick, swift

Antonyms: delayed, late, slow, tardy, procrastinated