temporize

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tem·po·rize / ˈtempəˌrīz/ • v. 1. [intr.] avoid making a decision or committing oneself in order to gain time: the opportunity was missed because the mayor still temporized.2. temporarily adopt a particular course in order to conform to the circumstances: their unwillingness to temporize had driven their country straight into conflict with France.DERIVATIVES: tem·po·ri·za·tion / ˌtempəriˈzāshən/ n.tem·po·riz·er n.