Temporize

Quick meaning: Temporize is a verb meaning (intransitive, by extension) To discuss, to negotiate; to reach a compromise.

Meaning

(intransitive, by extension) To discuss, to negotiate; to reach a compromise.

More Meanings

1. (transitive, dentistry) To apply a temporary piece of dental work that will later be removed.
2. (intransitive, obsolete) To delay, especially until a more favourable time; to procrastinate.
3. (transitive, medicine) To take temporary measures or actions to manage a situation without providing a definitive or permanent solution.
4. (intransitive, archaic) To comply with the occasion or time; to humour, or yield to, current circumstances or opinion; also, to trim (“fluctuate between parties, so as to appear to favour each”).
5. (intransitive) To deliberately act evasively or prolong a discussion in order to gain time or postpone a decision, sometimes so that a compromise can be reached or simply to make a conversation more temperate; to stall for time.

Example Sentences

Though that her heart were fired, and swollen with anger, she temporiseth so, 'twas undiscovered: [...]

How do you expect to riſe in the Church, if you can't temporize, and give into the Opinion of your Superiors?

This is especially true when we're faced with temporizing a patient who will ultimately receive veneer restorations.

The Dolphin is too wilfull oppoſite, / And will not temporize with my intreaties: / He flatly ſaies, heell not lay downe his Armes.

Word Forms

• temporizes
• temporizing
• temporized
• temporizest
• temporizedst
• temporizeth
• temporise

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include pause, defer, procrastinate, hesitate, delay, prolong.

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