jquery: how can I delay the each() from being triggered

Question

How can I delay each() from being triggered?

This is the code that delays each box from fading out at certain time given.

$(document).ready(function(){

    var delay = 0;
    $('.block-item:lt(16)').each(function(){ 

        //^^ do for every instance less than the 16th (starting at 0)
        $(this).delay(delay).animate({
            opacity:0
        },500);
        delay += 500;

    });


});

But I want to delay about five second before the each() is triggered. Is it feasible?

Here is the link.

Answer 1

If it is just a matter of delaying the initial animation, why not just start with a 5000 delay?

http://jsfiddle.net/QAWTy/1/

$(document).ready(function(){

    var delay = 5000;
    $('.block-item:lt(16)').each(function(){ 

        //^^ do for every instance less than the 16th (starting at 0)
        $(this).delay(delay).animate({
            opacity:0
        },500);
        delay += 500;

    });


});