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temporize

 - 3 dictionary results

tem⋅po⋅rize

  [tem-puh-rahyz]
Use temporize in a Sentence
–verb (used without object), -rized, -riz⋅ing.
1. to be indecisive or evasive to gain time or delay acting.
2. to comply with the time or occasion; yield temporarily or ostensibly to prevailing opinion or circumstances.
3. to treat or parley so as to gain time (usually fol. by with).
4. to come to terms (usually fol. by with).
5. to effect a compromise (usually fol. by between).
Also, especially British, tem⋅po⋅rise.

Origin:
1570–80; < ML temporizāre to hang back, delay, equiv. to L tempor- (s. of tempus) time + ML -izāre -ize

Related forms:
tem⋅po⋅ri⋅za⋅tion, noun
tem⋅po⋅riz⋅er, noun
tem⋅po⋅riz⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. hedge, stall, equivocate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To temporize
tem·po·rize   (těm'pə-rīz')   
intr.v.   tem·po·rized, tem·po·riz·ing, tem·po·riz·es

  1. To act evasively in order to gain time, avoid argument, or postpone a decision: "Colonial officials . . . ordered to enforce unpopular enactments, tended to temporize, to find excuses for evasion" (J.H. Parry).

  2. To engage in discussions or negotiations, especially so as to achieve a compromise or gain time.

  3. To yield to current circumstances or necessities; act to suit the time.


[French temporiser, from Old French, from Medieval Latin temporizāre, to pass one's time, from Latin tempus, tempor-, time.]
tem'po·ri·za'tion (-pər-ĭ-zā'shən) n., tem'po·riz'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

temporize 
1555 (implied in temporizer), from M.Fr. temporiser "to pass one's time, wait one's time" (14c.), from M.L. temporizare "pass time," perhaps via V.L. *temporare "to delay," from L. tempus (gen. temporis) "time."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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