ˌtərjə̇(ˌ)vərˈsāshən; (ˌ)tərˌjivə- sometimes (ˌ)tərˌgi- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin tergiversation-, tergiversatio evasion, from tergiversatus + -ion-, -io -ion
1. : desertion of a cause, party, or religious faith : reversal of opinion or policy
a policy of utility is apt to fluctuate, and between 1868 and 1875 there were some extraordinary tergiversations — A.M.Young
2. : evasion of straightforward action or clearcut statement of position : equivocation , ambiguity
while we trust the human mind I think we have carefully to scrutinize its tergiversations — H.J.Laski
humanism depends very heavily … on the tergiversations of the word human — T.S.Eliot