tergiversation

[Fr. tergiversation, from Lat, tergiversationem, acc us, of tergiversatio, from tergiversatus, pa. par. of tergiversor =to tergiver sate (q. v.).] 1. The act of tergiversating; a shifting or shuffling; a shift, an evasion, a subterfuge. "But that no suspicion of tergiversation may be fastened upon me, I am content to deal with you a little, at your own weapons." -Chilling worth: Relig, of Protes tants , pt. i., ch. v., § 85. 2. The act of changing or of turning one's back on one's opinions; the act of turning back on a cause formerly advocated; the act of a turncoat.