Definition of "temporize" in English

verb

1. (intransitive) To deliberately act evasively or prolong a discussion in order to gain time or postpone a decision, sometimes so that a compromise can be reached or simply to make a conversation more temperate; to stall for time.

   • “There are more answers to that than you may think,” Chih temporized, because there were, but they could see that there was only one answer that really mattered to tigers.

2. (intransitive, by extension) To discuss, to negotiate; to reach a compromise.

3. (transitive, dentistry) To apply a temporary piece of dental work that will later be removed.

4. (intransitive, archaic) To comply with the occasion or time; to humour, or yield to, current circumstances or opinion; also, to trim (“fluctuate between parties, so as to appear to favour each”).

5. (intransitive, obsolete) To delay, especially until a more favourable time; to procrastinate.

6. (transitive, medicine) To take temporary measures or actions to manage a situation without providing a definitive or permanent solution.