Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- verb Alternative spelling of
temporize .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- verb draw out a discussion or process in order to gain time
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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"Why ought he to know?" asked Imogene, doubtless with that impulse to temporise which is natural to the human soul in questions of right and interest.
Indian Summer William Dean Howells 1878
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Since my present need was to temporise, and give the impression that I might be talked into their ghastly scheme, I played it as they would expect from the redoubtable Flashy, indignation forgotten, narrow-eyed and considering, asking shrewd questions: How could they be sure Franz-Josef would offer us bed and board?
Watershed 2010
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"The government cannot profess a commitment to upholding and protecting human rights when, on the international stage, we go out of our way to temporise with tyranny."
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"The government cannot profess a commitment to upholding and protecting human rights when, on the international stage, we go out of our way to temporise with tyranny," Leon said in a Human Rights
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They desired to temporise until their leader came.
The War in the Air Herbert George 2006
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And you think to temporise, to make some scheme of compromise, that will enable you to live in your way while that — that machinery — lives in its.
The Food of the Gods and how it came to Earth Herbert George 2004
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Ferdinand perceived his drift, and thanked him for his generous offer, which he would not fail to consider with all due deliberation; though he was determined against the proposal, but obliged to temporise, that he might not incur the displeasure of this man, at whose mercy he lay.
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Strether was an abrupt reaction, a final impatience of his own tendency to temporise.
The Ambassadors 2003
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Since my present need was to temporise, and give the impression that I might be talked into their ghastly scheme, I played it as they would expect from the redoubtable Flashy, indignation forgotten, narrow-eyed and considering, asking shrewd questions: How could they be sure Franz-Josef would offer us bed and board?
Flashman And The Tiger Fraser, George MacDonald, 1925- 1999
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Walsingham describes as fickle as a reed, siding at one time with the lords and at another time with the king (689) — Richard was driven to temporise.
yarb commented on the word temporise
But his constitutional irresoluteness obstructed his path continually; brain-sick, weak of will, emotional, timid even, he temporised, procrastinated, brooded; came to decisions in the dark hours of the night, only to abandon them in the morning.
- Frank Norris, The Octopus, bk 2, ch. 8
August 29, 2008