Tergiversation
Tergiversation
#607. Tergiversation. -- N. change of mind, change of intention,
change of purpose; afterthought.
- tergiversation, recantation; palinode, palinody[obs]; renunciation;
abjuration,abjurement[obs]; defection &c. (relinquishment) 624; going over
&c. v.; apostasy; retraction, retractation[obs]; withdrawal; disavowal &c.
(negation) 536; revocation, revokement[obs]; reversal; repentance &c. 950-
redintegratio amoris[Lat].
- coquetry; vacillation &c. 605; backsliding; volte-face[Fr].
- turn coat, turn tippet|; rat, apostate, renegade; convert, pervert;
proselyte, deserter; backslider; blackleg, crawfish [U. S.], scab*, mugwump
[U. S.], recidivist.
- time server, time pleaser[obs]; timist|, Vicar of Bray, trimmer,
ambidexter[obs]; weathercock &c. (changeable) 149; Janus.
- V. change one's mind, change one's intention, change one's purpose,
change one's note; abjure, renounce; withdraw from &c. (relinquish) 624;
waver, vacillate; wheel round, turn round, veer round; turn a pirouette; go
over from one side to another, pass from one side to another, change from
one side to another, skip from one side to another; go to the rightabout;
box the compass, shift one's ground, go upon another tack.
- apostatize, change sides, go over, rat; recant, retract; revoke;
rescind &c. (abrogate) 756; recall; forswear, unsay; come over, come round
to an opinion; crawfish *[U. S.], crawl* [U. S.].
- draw in one's horns, eat one's words; eat the leek, swallow the leek;
swerve, flinch, back out of, retrace one's steps, think better of it; come
back return to one's first love; turn over a new leaf &c. (repent) 950.
- trim, shuffle, play fast and loose, blow hot and cold, coquet, be on
the fence, straddle, bold with the hare but run with the hounds; nager
entre deux eaux[Fr]; wait to see how the cat jumps, wait to see how the
wind blows.
- Adj. changeful &c. 149; irresolute &c. 605; ductile, slippery as an
eel, trimming, ambidextrous, timeserving[obs];. coquetting &c. v.
- revocatory[obs], reactionary.
- Phr. "a change came o'er the spirit of my dream" [Byron].