temporize
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Related to temporize: infelicity, treacly
tem·po·rize
(tĕm′pə-rīz′)v. tem·po·rized, tem·po·riz·ing, tem·po·riz·es
v.intr.
1. To act or speak in order to gain time, avoid an 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 act to suit current circumstances or necessities: "When an evil has sprung up within a state, the more certain remedy by far is to temporize with it" (Brian Moore).
v.tr.
To say or utter in temporizing.
[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.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
temporize
(ˈtɛmpəˌraɪz) ortemporise
vb (intr)
1. to delay, act evasively, or protract a discussion, negotiation, etc, esp in order to gain time or effect a compromise
2. to adapt oneself to the circumstances or occasion, as by temporary or apparent agreement
[C16: from French temporiser, from Medieval Latin temporizāre, from Latin tempus time]
ˌtemporiˈzation, ˌtemporiˈsation n
ˈtempoˌrizer, ˈtempoˌriser n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
tem•po•rize
(ˈtɛm pəˌraɪz)v.i. -rized, -riz•ing.
1. to be indecisive or evasive to gain time or delay acting.
2. to comply with the time or occasion.
3. to treat or parley so as to gain time (usu. fol. by with).
[1570–80; < Medieval Latin temporizāre to hang back, delay = Latin tempor-, s. of tempus time + Medieval Latin -izāre -ize]
tem′po•riz`er, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
temporize
Past participle: temporized
Gerund: temporizing
| Imperative |
|---|
| temporize |
| temporize |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Verb | 1. | temporize - draw out a discussion or process in order to gain time; "The speaker temporized in order to delay the vote" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
temporize
verb play for time, delay, stall, procrastinate, be evasive, beat about the bush, gain time, equivocate, play a waiting game, hum and haw, tergiversate 'Not exactly, sir,' he temporized.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
Translations
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
temporize
vi (= delay) → ausweichen (um Zeit zu gewinnen), Verzögerungstaktiken anwenden; to temporize with somebody → jdn hinhalten
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
temporize
[ˈtɛmpəˌraɪz] vi (delay deliberately) → temporeggiare; (compromise) → adeguarsi, adattarsi (alle circostanze)Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995