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tergiversation

 - 3 dictionary results

ter⋅gi⋅ver⋅sate

  [tur-ji-ver-seyt]
Use tergiversation in a Sentence
–verb (used without object), -sat⋅ed, -sat⋅ing.
1. to change repeatedly one's attitude or opinions with respect to a cause, subject, etc.; equivocate.
2. to turn renegade.
Origin:
1645–55; < L tergiversātus (ptp. of tergiversārī to turn one's back), equiv. to tergi- (comb. form of tergum back) + versātus, ptp. of versāre, freq. of vertere to turn; see -ate 1

Related forms:
ter⋅gi⋅ver⋅sa⋅tion, noun
ter⋅gi⋅ver⋅sa⋅tor, ter⋅gi⋅ver⋅sant  [tur-ji-vur-suhnt] , noun
ter⋅gi⋅ver⋅sa⋅to⋅ry  [tur-ji-vur-suh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To tergiversation
ter·giv·er·sate   (tər-jĭv'ər-sāt', tûr'jĭ-vər-)   
intr.v.   ter·giv·er·sat·ed, ter·giv·er·sat·ing, ter·giv·er·sates

  1. To use evasions or ambiguities; equivocate.

  2. To change sides; apostatize.


[Latin tergiversārī, tergiversāt- : tergum, the back + versāre, to turn; see wer-2 in Indo-European roots.]
ter'gi·ver·sa'tion n., ter'gi·ver·sa'tor (-sā'tər) 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

tergiversation 
turning dishonestly from a straightforward action or statement; shifting, shuffling, equivocation, 1570, from L. tergiversationem (nom. tergiversatio) "a shifting, evasion," from tergiversari "turn one's back on, evade," from tergum "the back" (of unknown origin) + versare "to spin, turn" (see versus).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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