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View synonyms for tergiversate

tergiversate

[ tur-ji-ver-seyt ]

verb (used without object)

, ter·gi·ver·sat·ed, ter·gi·ver·sat·ing.
  1. to change repeatedly one's attitude or opinions with respect to a cause, subject, etc.; equivocate.
  2. to turn renegade.


tergiversate

/ ˈtɜːdʒɪvəˌseɪt; ˈtɜːdʒɪˌvɜːsənt /

verb

  1. to change sides or loyalties; apostatize
  2. to be evasive or ambiguous; equivocate
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • ˌtergiverˈsation, noun
  • ˌtergiˈversatory, adjective
  • ˈtergiverˌsator, noun
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Other Words From

  • tergi·ver·sation noun
  • tergi·ver·sator ter·gi·ver·sant [tur-ji-, vur, -s, uh, nt], noun
  • ter·gi·ver·sa·to·ry [tur-ji-, vur, -s, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of tergiversate1

First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin tergiversātus (past participle of tergiversārī “to turn one's back”), equivalent to tergi- (combining form of tergum “back”) + versātus, past participle of versāre, frequentative formed from versus, past participle of vertere “to turn”; -ate 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of tergiversate1

C17: from Latin tergiversārī to turn one's back, from tergum back + vertere to turn

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tergitetergum