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Webster 1913 Edition


Timeserving

Time′servˊing

,
Adj.
Obsequiously complying with the spirit of the times, or the humors of those in power.

Time′servˊing

,
Noun.
An obsequious compliance with the spirit of the times, or the humors of those in power, which implies a surrender of one’s independence, and sometimes of one's integrity.
Syn. – Temporizing.
Timeserving
,
Temporizing
. Both these words are applied to the conduct of one who adapts himself servilely to times and seasons. A timeserver is rather active, and a temporizer, passive. One whose policy is timeserving comes forward to act upon principles or opinions which may promote his advancement; one who is temporizing yields to the current of public sentiment or prejudice, and shrinks from a course of action which might injure him with others. The former is dishonest; the latter is weak; and both are contemptible.
Trimming and
timeserving
, which are but two words for the same thing, . . . produce confusion.
South.
[I] pronounce thee . . . a hovering
temporizer
, that
Canst with thine eyes at once see good and evil,
Inclining to them both.
Shakespeare

Definition 2024


timeserving

timeserving

See also: time-serving

English

Noun

timeserving (usually uncountable, plural timeservings)

  1. Alternative form of time-serving

Anagrams