equivocal
allowing the possibility of several different meanings, as a word or phrase, especially with intent to deceive or misguide; susceptible of double interpretation; deliberately ambiguous: an equivocal answer.
of doubtful nature or character; questionable; dubious; suspicious: the equivocal loyalty of many employees during the labor strike.
of uncertain significance; not determined: an equivocal attitude.
Origin of equivocal
1synonym study For equivocal
pronunciation note For equivocal
However, if you split equivocal in half, as equi- + -vocal, the relation of its spelling to its origin and meanings becomes more clear. Think “equal voices,” two or more voices in conflict over a meaning, attitude, statement, etc., resulting in ambiguity, indecision, or deception. Recombine equi- + -vocal, put the main stress on the second syllable, and you have it: [ih-kwiv-uh-kuhl]. /ɪˈkwɪv ə kəl/.
The form with the extra syllable is not found in educated writing, nor are any of its matching derivatives, like equivocably, unequivocable, and unequivocably. These are not considered standard variants and are best avoided in writing and speech.
Other words from equivocal
- e·quiv·o·cal·i·ty, e·quiv·o·ca·cy [ih-kwiv-uh-kuh-see], /ɪˈkwɪv ə kə si/, noun
- e·quiv·o·cal·ly, adverb
- e·quiv·o·cal·ness, noun
- non·e·quiv·o·cal, adjective
- non·e·quiv·o·cal·ly, adverb
Words that may be confused with equivocal
- equivalent, equivocal
Words Nearby equivocal
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use equivocal in a sentence
In a tentative ruling filed earlier this week, Judge William Orrick said Wisk’s “evidence of misappropriation is too equivocal to warrant a preliminary injunction.”
Judge denies Wisk Aero’s request for preliminary injunction against Archer Aviation | Aria Alamalhodaei | July 23, 2021 | TechCrunchThe results are almost always negative, and when they are equivocal it rarely is an indication of actual illness.
Predator Doctors Take Advantage of Patients With ‘Chronic Lyme’ Scam | Russell Saunders | September 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHis answer was equivocal as Paul said his wife didn't want him to run.
But his wavering and equivocal history on the marriage issue more properly suggests a profile in Jell-O.
As America celebrated the bin Laden killing, the response in the Middle East was more equivocal.
There never was a more equivocal expression; and such as it was then it still is.
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 1 (of 10) | Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)The whole public law of Europe had its origin in equivocal expressions, beginning with the Salique law.
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 1 (of 10) | Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)The climate of these animals is not therefore, equivocal; but it is more difficult to determine the relative bulk of each species.
Buffon's Natural History. Volume VII (of 10) | Georges Louis Leclerc de BuffonHe was "sick at heart of the equivocal position," and determined to "go on in a clearer path."
The Life of Mazzini | Bolton KingEven at first their acts were equivocal, and they soon came to be as illegal as they were oppressive.
The Loyalists of America and Their Times, Vol. 1 of 2 | Egerton Ryerson
British Dictionary definitions for equivocal
/ (ɪˈkwɪvəkəl) /
capable of varying interpretations; ambiguous
deliberately misleading or vague; evasive
of doubtful character or sincerity; dubious
Origin of equivocal
1Derived forms of equivocal
- equivocally, adverb
- equivocality or equivocalness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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