tergiversate
English
Etymology
From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Latin tergiversor (“turn one's back, make excuses”); from tergum (“the back”) + versō, frequentative of vertō (“turn”).
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 333: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "UK" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈtɜːdʒɪvəseɪt/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 333: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. enPR: tər-jɪv'ər-sāt, IPA(key): /tɝˈdʒɪvɝseɪt/
Audio (US): (file)
Verb
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- (intransitive) To evade, to equivocate using subterfuge; to obfuscate in a deliberate manner.
- 1999, Philip McCutchan and Werner Levi, The Hoof, →ISBN, page 18:
- The officials soon concluded that the easiest way to remain on good terms with the court was to elude responsibility, to tergiversate, to prevent results.
- (intransitive) To change sides or affiliation; to apostatize.
- 2002, Colin Morris and Peter Roberts, chapter 8, in Pilgrimage: The English Experience from Becket to Bunyan, →ISBN, page 221:
- Henry had hesitated before authorising the spoliation; he would soon tergiversate on other matters of doctrine but this act was irreversible.
Synonyms
- (to evade, obfuscate): prevaricate
- (to change sides): desert
Derived terms
Translations
to evade, to equivocate using subterfuge; to deliberately obfuscate
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to change sides or affiliation; to apostatize
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- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Translations to be checked
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Italian
Verb
tergiversate
- second-person plural present indicative of tergiversare
- second-person plural imperative of tergiversare
- feminine plural of tergiversato
Anagrams
Latin
Participle
(deprecated template usage) tergiversāte