- temporize
- tem|po|rize [ `tempə,raız ] verb intransitive FORMALto delay doing something in order to gain time
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.
Temporize — Tem po*rize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Temporized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Temporizing}.] [F. temporiser. See {Temporal} of time.] 1. To comply with the time or occasion; to humor, or yield to, the current of opinion or circumstances; also, to trim, as… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
temporize — index delay, stall, suspend Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
temporize — (v.) 1550s (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. Related: Temporized; temporizing … Etymology dictionary
temporize — (Amer.) tem·po·rize || tempÉ™raɪz v. fit oneself to the time constraints; put off, postpone; evade a decision, avoid an answer (also temporise) … English contemporary dictionary
temporize — (also temporise) ► VERB ▪ act in an evasive or delaying way to gain time before committing oneself. ORIGIN French temporiser bide one s time … English terms dictionary
temporize — [tem′pə rīz΄] vi. temporized, temporizing [Fr temporiser < ML temporizare < L tempus, time: see TEMPER] 1. to suit one s actions to the time, occasion, or circumstances, without reference to principle 2. a) to give temporary compliance or… … English World dictionary
temporize — UK [ˈtempəraɪz] / US [ˈtempəˌraɪz] verb [intransitive] Word forms temporize : present tense I/you/we/they temporize he/she/it temporizes present participle temporizing past tense temporized past participle temporized formal to delay doing… … English dictionary
temporize — intransitive verb ( rized; rizing) Etymology: Middle French temporiser, from Medieval Latin temporizare to pass the time, from Latin tempor , tempus Date: 1579 1. to act to suit the time or occasion ; yield to current or dominant opinion 2. to… … New Collegiate Dictionary
temporize — See temporize, extemporize … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
temporize, extemporize — Temporize means to compromise, to act evasively so as to gain time or advantage, to postpone action or a decision : We need relief; don t temporize any longer. Many a public official has found that he must temporize if he wishes to hold his… … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
temporize — temporization, n. temporizer, n. temporizingly, adv. /tem peuh ruyz /, v.i., temporized, temporizing. 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… … Universalium