lag

Noun

• one of several thin slats of wood forming the sides of a barrel or bucket

• the time between one event, process, or period and another
  • meanwhile the socialists are running the government
    

• the act of slowing down or falling behind

Verb

• cover with lagging to prevent heat loss
  • lag pipes
    

• throw or pitch at a mark, as with coins

• lock up or confine, in or as in a jail
  • The suspects were imprisoned without trial
    
  • the murderer was incarcerated for the rest of his life
    

• hang (back) or fall (behind) in movement, progress, development, etc.

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  stave , interim , meantime , meanwhile , slowdown , retardation , dawdle , fall back , fall behind