— tergiversation , n. — tergiversator, tergiversant /terr'ji verr"seuhnt/ , n. — tergiversatory /terr'ji verr"seuh tawr'ee, -tohr'ee/ , adj.
/terr"ji veuhr sayt'/ , v.i. , tergiversated, tergiversating .
1. to change repeatedly one's attitude or opinions with respect to a cause, subject, etc.; equivocate.
2. to turn renegade.
[ 1645-55; tergiversatus (ptp. of tergiversari to turn one's back), equiv. to tergi- (comb. form of tergum back) + versatus, ptp. of versare, freq. of vertere to turn; see -ATE 1 ]