temporize

verb6

1. •
   To deliberately act evasively or prolong a discussion in order to gain time or postpone a decision, sometimes so that a compromise can be reached or simply to make a conversation more temperate; to stall for time.

   • “There are more answers to that than you may think,” Chih temporized, because there were, but they could see that there was only one answer that really mattered to tigers. — 2020
2. •
   To delay, especially until a more favourable time; to procrastinate.
3. •
   To apply a temporary piece of dental work that will later be removed.

   • This is especially true when we're faced with temporizing a patient who will ultimately receive veneer restorations. — 2005
4. •
   To take temporary measures or actions to manage a situation without providing a definitive or permanent solution.
5. •
   To discuss, to negotiate; to reach a compromise.

   • The Dolphin is too wilfull opposite, / And will not temporize with my intreaties: / He flatly saies, heell not lay downe his Armes. — 1596
6. •
   (no longer used) To comply with the occasion or time; to humour, or yield to, current circumstances or opinion; also, to trim (“fluctuate between parties, so as to appear to favour each”).

   • Yet seeking at the first to temporize, / She tries if that some short imprisonment / would calme their heat; when that would not suffize, / Then to exile him shee must needes consent: [...] — 1595