Also 6 -our, Sc. -ar, 7 -or. [Agent-noun f. prec.: cf. F. temporiseur (a. 1600 in Littré).] One who temporizes.
1. One who complies for the time, or yields to the time; a time-server, a ‘trimmer.’
1555. R. P[ownoll], trans. Musculus (title), The Temporisour (that is to say, the Observer of Tyme) translated into Inglishe.
1563. Winȝet, Four Scoir Thre Quest., To Rdr., Wks. (S.T.S.), I. 53. Werray finȝeit hypocritis, and temperizaris with the tyme contrare thair conscience.
1563–87. Foxe, A. & M. (1596), 1885/1. One by iudgement reformed, is more worth then a thousand transformed temporizers.
1611. Shaks., Wint. T., I. ii. 302. A mindlesse Slaue, Or else a houering Temporizer.
1617. Moryson, Itin., II. 290. They would neuer be dissembling temporisors.
1710. Norris, Chr. Prud., ii. 101. The Policy of Temporizers, men that steer their course by the compass of Worldly Interests.
1813. Shelley, Address Irish People, Prose Wks. 1888, I. 258. Dangers may lurk around it, but they are not the dangers which lie beneath the footsteps of the hypocrite or temporizer.
2. One who seeks to gain time; a procrastinator, delayer; one who waits for a favorable time.
1609. Holland, Amm. Marcell., 370. Like unto that auncient and warie temporizer [Q. Fabius Maximus].
1636. Featly, Clavis Myst., xxix. 383. Doth Satan play the temporizer and time all his suggestions?
1736. Gentl. Mag., VI. 469/1. The famous Advice … which ought to be observed by all Temporizers: viz. Time was; Time is: but take Care to lay hold on the Opportunity before the Time is past.
