temporize
Other forms: temporizing; temporized; temporizes
The verb temporize describes stalling in order to gain time in the hopes of avoiding or preventing something. Your class might temporize so your teacher won't have time to give the pop quiz you all think she's going to give.
Accent the first syllable of temporize: "TEM-puh-rise." Tempor- means "time," which you probably recognize from other time-related words such as temporary, temporal, and contemporary. Temporize comes from the Middle French word temporiser, meaning "to pass one's time, wait one's time."
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draw out a discussion or process in order to gain time
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Vocabulary lists containing temporize
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Considered a seminal work of African-American literature, Their Eyes Were Watching God is notable for its strong and independent female protagonist.