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 — 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
