equivocal

equivocal
equivocality, equivocacy /i kwiv"euh keuh see/, n.equivocally, adv.equivocalness, n.
/i kwiv"euh keuhl/, adj.
1. allowing the possibility of several different meanings, as a word or phrase, esp. with intent to deceive or misguide; susceptible of double interpretation; deliberately ambiguous: an equivocal answer.
2. of doubtful nature or character; questionable; dubious; suspicious: aliens of equivocal loyalty.
3. of uncertain significance; not determined: an equivocal attitude.
[1375-1425; late ME equivoc ( < LL aequivocus ambiguous, equiv. to L aequi- EQUI- + voc-, s. of vox VOX + -us adj. suffix) + -AL1]
Syn. 1. See ambiguous.

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  • Equivocal — E*quiv o*cal, a. [L. aequivocus: aequus equal + vox, vocis, word. See {Equal}, and {Voice}, and cf. {Equivoque}.] 1. (Literally, called equally one thing or the other; hence:) Having two significations equally applicable; capable of double… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • equivocal — [ē kwiv′ə kəl, ikwiv′ə kəl] adj. [< LL aequivocus (see EQUIVOCATE) & AL] 1. that can have more than one interpretation; having two or more meanings; purposely vague, misleading, or ambiguous [an equivocal reply] 2. uncertain; undecided;… …   English World dictionary

  • equivocal — I adjective ambiguous, ambiguus, ambivalent, amphibological, amphibolous, anceps, bewildering, cloudy, confusing, controversial, debatable, deceptive, dim, disputable, doubtful, dubious, dubius, enigmatic, enigmatical, equivocating, equivocatory …   Law dictionary

  • Equivocal — E*quiv o*cal, n. A word or expression capable of different meanings; an ambiguous term; an equivoque. [1913 Webster] In languages of great ductility, equivocals like that just referred to are rarely found. Fitzed. Hall. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • equivocal — c.1600, from L.L. aequivocus of equal voice, of equal significance, ambiguous (see EQUIVOCATION (Cf. equivocation)) + AL (Cf. al) (1). Earlier in same sense was equivoque (late 14c.). Related: Equivocally (1570s) …   Etymology dictionary

  • equivocal — ambiguous, *obscure, dark, vague, enigmatic, cryptic Analogous words: dubious, questionable, *doubtful Antonyms: unequivocal Contrasted words: *explicit, express, definite, specific, categorical: perspicuous, lucid, *clear …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • equivocal — [adj] doubtful, uncertain ambiguous, ambivalent, amphibological, borderline, clear as mud*, clouded*, disreputable, dubious, evasive, fishy*, fuzzy*, hazy*, indefinite, indeterminate, indistinct, misleading, muddled, muzzy*, oblique, obscure,… …   New thesaurus

  • equivocal — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ unclear in meaning or intention; ambiguous. DERIVATIVES equivocally adverb. ORIGIN from Latin aequus equal + vocare to call …   English terms dictionary

  • equivocal — [[t]ɪkwɪ̱vək(ə)l[/t]] 1) ADJ GRADED If you are equivocal, you are deliberately vague in what you say, because you want to avoid speaking the truth or making a decision. [FORMAL] Many were equivocal about the idea... His equivocal response has… …   English dictionary

  • equivocal — adjective Etymology: Late Latin aequivocus, from aequi equi + voc , vox voice more at voice Date: 1599 1. a. subject to two or more interpretations and usually used to mislead or confuse < an equivocal statement > b. uncertain as an indication or …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • equivocal — e|quiv|o|cal [ıˈkwıvəkəl] adj [Date: 1500 1600; : Late Latin; Origin: aequivocus, from Latin aequi ( EQUI ) + vox voice ] 1.) if you are equivocal, you are deliberately unclear in the way that you give information or your opinion = ↑ambiguous ▪… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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