Reference > Roget’s > International Thesaurus > 607. Tergiversation.
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Mawson, C.O.S., ed. (1870–1938). Roget’s International Thesaurus. 1922.
 
Class V. Words Releasing to the Voluntary Powers
Division (I) Individual Volition
Section I. Volition in General
1. Acts of Volition
 
607. Tergiversation.
 
  
NOUN:TERGIVERSATION, tergiversating, recantation; palinode, palinody [rare]; renunciation; abjuration, abjurement; defection (relinquishment) [See Relinquishment]; going over &c. v.; apostasy; retraction, retractation; withdrawal; disavowal (negation) [See Negation]; revocation, revokement [rare], reversal; repentance [See Penitence]; redintegratio amoris [L.].
  change of -mind, - intention, - purpose; afterthought.
  coquetry, flirtation; vacillation [See Irresolution].
  recidivism, recidivation, backsliding; volte-face [F.].
  TURNCOAT, turn-tippet [obs.]; rat [cant], apostate, renegade, pervert, deserter, backslider; recidivist; crawfish [slang, U. S.], mugwump [U. S.]; blackleg, scab [slang]; proselyte, convert.
  TIMESERVER, time-pleaser; timist [obs.], Vicar of Bray, trimmer, ambidexter; double dealer; weathercock (changeable) [See Changeableness]; Janus; coquet, flirt.
  
VERB:TERGIVERSATE, veer round, wheel round, turn round; change one’s- mind, - intention, - purpose, - note; abjure, renounce; withdraw from (relinquish) [See Relinquishment]; turn a pirouette; go over -, pass -, change -, skip- from one side to another; go to the right-about; box the compass, shift one’s ground, go upon another tack.
  APOSTATIZE, change sides, go over, rat [cant], tourner casaque [F.], recant, retract; revoke; rescind (abrogate) [See Abrogation]; recall; forswear, unsay; come -over, - round- to an opinion.
  BACK DOWN, draw in one’s horns, eat one’s words; eat -, swallow- the leek; swerve, flinch, back out of, retrace one’s steps, crawfish, crawl [both slang, U. S.]; think better of it; come back -, return- to one’s first love; turn over a new leaf (repent) [See Penitence].
  TRIM, shuffle, play fast and loose, blow hot and cold, coquet, flirt, be on the fence, straddle, hold with the hare but run with the hounds; nager entre deux eaux [F.], wait to see how the -cat jumps, - wind blows.
  
ADJECTIVE:CHANGEFUL [See Changeableness]; irresolute [See Irresolution]; ductile, slippery as an eel, trimming, ambidextrous, timeserving; coquetting &c. v.
  revocatory, reactionary.
  
QUOTATIONS:
  1. A change came o’er the spirit of my dream.—Byron
  2. They are not constant, but are changing still.—Cymbeline
  3. Was ever feather so lightly blown to and fro as this multitude?—II Henry VI

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