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

/ ˈtɜːdʒɪˌvɜːsənt; ˈtɜːdʒɪvəˌseɪt /

verb

1. to change sides or loyalties; apostatize
2. to be evasive or ambiguous; equivocate

Derived Forms

• ˌtergiˈversatory, adjective
• ˌtergiverˈsation, noun
• ˈtergiverˌsator, noun

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tergiversate¹

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