Vocabulary: tergiversation

Via Betsy and thefreedictionary.com:

ter·giv·er·sate (tr-jvr-st, tûrj-vr-)

intr.v. ter·giv·er·sat·ed, ter·giv·er·sat·ing, ter·giv·er·sates

1. To use evasions or ambiguities; equivocate.

2. To change sides; apostatize.

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[Latin tergiversr, tergiverst- : tergum, the back + versre, to turn; see wer-² in Indo-European roots.]

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tergi·ver·sation n.

tergi·ver·sator (-str) n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Noun	1.	tergiversation - falsification by means of vague or ambiguous language equivocation falsification, misrepresentation - a willful perversion of facts
	2.	tergiversation - the act of abandoning a party for cause apostasy abandonment, desertion, forsaking - the act of giving something up