This verb originally comes from the Latin “tempus,” meaning “period of time,” and then in Medieval Latin, “temporizāre” meant “to delay.” This Latin root applies to one modern usage of the word, meaning “to draw out discussions,” basically stalling for time. “Temporize” is related to the more common word “extemporize,” meaning “to improvise.” You might have to extemporize while you are temporizing. Another context for “temporize” is if you go along with the popular opinion. You might temporize if there’s a group vote and you decide to vote with the majority.