tempo-, tempor-, temp-

(Latin: time, occasion)

Don't confuse this tempo- element with other words that refer to the temples; such as, the flattened sides of the forehead or the buildings used for religious worship or services. They simply have no connection with this element.

We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they're called memories. Some take us forward, they're called dreams.

—Jeremy Irons, actor
temporary reprieve (s) (noun), temporary reprieves (pl)
A relief from harm or discomfort at a certain time: The temporary reprieve from pain in Jack’s leg lasted only 5 minutes and then it returned again.
Tempori parendum. (Latin statement)
Translation: "One must yield to time" or "One must keep abreast of the times."

A related expression is Temporibus inserviendum; literally, "One must pay attention to the times."

Temporibus mores sapiens sine crimine mutat. (Latin proverb)
Translation: "The wise man does no wrong in changing his habits with the times."

From Cato in his Disticha de Moribus, c. 175 B.C.

temporicide (verb), temporicides; temporicided; temporiciding
To kill or to waste time: Since Lynn was so busy that morning doing errands, she decided to temporicide in the afternoon, doing nothing but lounging in her chair on her balcony.
Temporis ars medicina fere est. (Latin proverb)
Translation: "Time usually is the best means of healing."

Another version is, "Time is a great healer." This expression comes from Ovid's Remedia Amoris.

temporization (s) (noun), temporizations (pl)
The avoidance of making a decision or committing oneself to do something in order to have more time to think about it: When asked about his opinion, Mark gave an evasive or a non-committal answer in an attempt at temporization, because he didn't want to get involved in the political discussion.
temporize (verb), temporizes; temporized; temporizing
1. To follow with the time or occasion, hence to conform to the desires of others; to give in to a circumstance or opinion: While discussing their plans for going on vacation, Linda temporized in that she yielded to the wishes of her husband and children.
2. To act evasively in order to gain time, to avoid an argument, or to postpone a decision: The students in the class decided to temporize so their teacher, Mrs. Jones, wouldn’t be able have them do the vocabulary test on that day.
To avoid doing something at the time.
© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

temporizer (s) (noun), temporizers (pl)
A person who puts off or avoids doing something until later; a delayer: Linda had the habit of being a temporizer because she often procrastinated with paying her bills.
Tempus fugit (Latin proverb)
Translation: "Time flies."

Expressing concern that a person's time is limited and it is being consumed by something which may not be important at that moment.

Time flies.
© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

Related "time" units: aevum, evum; archaeo-, archeo-; Calendars; chrono-; horo-; pre-; Quotes: Time.