tergiversating

Verb

tergiversate (third-person singular simple present tergiversates, present participle tergiversating, simple past and past participle tergiversated)

1. (intransitive) To evade, to equivocate using subterfuge; to obfuscate in a deliberate manner.
   • 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.1999, Philip McCutchan, Werner Levi, The Hoof, →ISBN, page 18

   Synonyms:

   prevaricate, beat around the bush

2. (intransitive) To change sides or affiliation; to apostatize.
   • Henry had hesitated before authorising the spoliation; he would soon tergiversate on other matters of doctrine but this act was irreversible.2002, Colin Morris, Peter Roberts, chapter 8, in Pilgrimage: The English Experience from Becket to Bunyan, →ISBN, page 221

   Synonyms:

   desert

3. (intransitive, rare) To flee by turning one's back.