Tergiversator
/ˌtɜːrdʒɪˈvɜːrsətər/noun
A person who evades straightforward action or clear-cut statements; an equivocator.
Did you know?The roots of 'tergiversator' come from Latin, where it was associated with turning away, reflecting a deep-seated cultural disdain for deceit and evasion.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
tergiversari
“to turn one's back, to evade.”
Medieval Latin
Med. Latin
tergiversator
“one who evades or retreats from a commitment.”
Early Modern English
English
tergiversator
“a term denoting a person who avoids commitment or clarity.”
19th Century
English
tergiversation
“the act of evading or using ambiguous language.”
Modern English
English
tergiversator
“a person skilled in equivocation or evasion.”
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