Main Entry:

tem·po·rize

Pronunciation:

\ˈtem-pə-ˌrīz\

Function:

intransitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

tem·po·rized; tem·po·riz·ing

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 draw out discussions or negotiations so as to gain time <you'd have to temporize until you found out how she wanted to be advised — Mary Austin>

— tem·po·ri·za·tion \ˌtem-pə-rə-ˈzā-shən\ noun

— tem·po·riz·er noun