Category:Timeserving

Time"serv`ing, a.

Defn: obsequiously complying with the spirit of the times, or the Humors of those in power.

Timeserving Time"serv`ing, n.

Defn: 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. Shak.