- To act evasively in order to gain time, avoid argument, or postpone a decision: “Colonial officials . . . ordered to enforce unpopular enactments, tended to temporize, to find excuses for evasion” (J.H. Parry).
- To engage in discussions or negotiations, especially so as to achieve a compromise or gain time.
- To yield to current circumstances or necessities; act to suit the time.
[French temporiser, from Old French, from Medieval Latin temporizāre, to pass one's time, from Latin tempus, tempor-, time.]
temporization tem'po·ri·za'tion (-pər-ĭ-zā'shən) n.temporizer tem'po·riz'er n.
