tergiversate

verb /ˈtɜːd͡ʒɪvəseɪt/

1. To evade, to equivocate using subterfuge; to obfuscate in a deliberate manner.

   intransitive

   The officials soon concluded that the easiest way to remain on good terms with the court was to elude responsibility, to tergiversate, to prevent results.

2. To change sides or affiliation; to apostatize.

   intransitive

   Henry had hesitated before authorising the spoliation; he would soon tergiversate on other matters of doctrine but this act was irreversible.

3. To flee by turning one's back.

   intransitive, rare

Where it comes from

Borrowed from Latin tergiversātus, perfect active participle of tergiversor (“to evade, to avoid, to turn one's back on”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from tergum (“back, hind”) + versor (“to turn”). Compare French tergiverser.

Adapted from the Wiktionary entry tergiversate (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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