temporization

verb (used without object), tem·po·rized, tem·po·riz·ing.

1. to be indecisive or evasive to gain time or delay acting.
2. to comply with the time or occasion; yield temporarily or ostensibly to prevailing opinion or circumstances.
3. to treat or parley so as to gain time (usually followed by with).
4. to come to terms (usually followed by with).
5. to effect a compromise (usually followed by between).

verb (intr)

1. to delay, act evasively, or protract a discussion, negotiation, etc, esp in order to gain time or effect a compromise
2. to adapt oneself to the circumstances or occasion, as by temporary or apparent agreement

v.1550s (implied in temporizer), from Middle French temporiser “to pass one’s time, wait one’s time” (14c.), from Medieval Latin temporizare “pass time,” perhaps via Vulgar Latin *temporare “to delay,” from Latin tempus (genitive temporis) “time” (see temporal). Related: Temporized; temporizing.