How Do You Spell TERGIVERSATION?

Pronunciation: [tˌɜːɡɪvəsˈe͡ɪʃən] (IPA)

Tergiversation, pronounced /ˌtəˌdʒɪvərˈseɪʃən/, is a 12-letter word that refers to the act of abandoning a belief, principle or course of action. The word is derived from the Latin phrase "tergum versare," meaning "to turn one's back." Despite its lengthy spelling, tergiversation is commonly used in legal, political and academic contexts to describe a person who has changed their position on a subject. Its phonetic transcription suggests that it is pronounced with a stress on the second syllable and a short "i" sound in the final syllable.

TERGIVERSATION Meaning and Definition

1. Tergiversation is a noun that refers to the act of evading or avoiding straightforward and direct answers or actions, often by changing one's stance or opinion. It commonly denotes the act of deliberately equivocating or being intentionally vague in order to deceive or confuse others.

   Tergiversation can also describe a person's untrustworthy behavior characterized by frequent changes in beliefs, principles, or loyalties. It implies inconsistency or flip-flopping in one's opinions, particularly in relation to political or moral matters. Such individuals are often seen as lacking integrity or reliability, making it difficult to trust their words or actions.

   The term "tergiversation" finds its origins in the Latin word "tergiversari," which means "to hesitate" or "to turn one's back." This verb reflects the notion of indecision or turning away from a previously stated position. Tergiversation is associated with deception and manipulation because it involves a deliberate and intentional twisting or alteration of one's viewpoints or actions.

   In summary, tergiversation refers to the act of avoiding or eluding direct answers or actions, as well as the untrustworthy behavior marked by frequent changes in opinions or loyalties. It highlights the use of ambiguity or evasiveness to deceive or confuse others.

2. A shift; a subterfuge; an evasion; fickleness of conduct.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for TERGIVERSATION

• tergiversates
• rergiversation
• fergiversation
• gergiversation
• yergiversation
• 6ergiversation
• 5ergiversation
• twrgiversation
• tsrgiversation
• tdrgiversation
• trrgiversation
• t4rgiversation
• t3rgiversation
• teegiversation
• tedgiversation
• tefgiversation
• tetgiversation
• te5giversation
• te4giversation
• terfiversation
• tergivesation
• tergivarsation
• turgidversation
• targivesation
• tergvearsation
• tergibervation
• tergiversateing
• tergiversion
• Tergiversitions

Etymology of TERGIVERSATION

The word "tergiversation" comes from the Latin term "tergiversatio", which is derived from the verb "tergiversari". "Tergiversari" itself is a combination of two Latin words, "tergum" meaning "back" or "rear", and "versare" meaning "to turn". Thus, the literal meaning of "tergiversation" is "to turn one's back" or "to back away", which evolved to signify the act of shifting or changing positions, especially in regards to one's opinions or allegiances.

Similar spelling word for TERGIVERSATION

• tergiversate.

Plural form of TERGIVERSATION is TERGIVERSATIONS