TEMPORIZE

temporize, temporise

(verb) draw out a discussion or process in order to gain time; “The speaker temporized in order to delay the vote”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Alternative spellings

• temporise

Verb

temporize (third-person singular simple present temporizes, present participle temporizing, simple past and past participle temporized)

To deliberately act evasively or prolong a discussion in order to gain time or postpone a decision, sometimes in order to reach a compromise or simply to make a conversation more temperate; to stall for time.

(dentistry) To apply a temporary piece of dental work that will later be removed.

(obsolete) To comply with the time or occasion; to humor, or yield to, the current of opinion or circumstances; also, to trim, as between two parties.

(obsolete) To delay; to procrastinate.

(obsolete) To comply; to agree.

Source: Wiktionary

Tem"po*rize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Temporized; p. pr. & vb. n. Temporizing.] Etym: [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 between two parties. They might their grievance inwardly complain, But outwardly they needs must temporize. Daniel.

2. To delay; to procrastinate. [R.] Bacon.

3. To comply; to agree. [Obs.] Shak.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition