equivocal

English

Alternative forms

• æquivocal (rare, obsolete)

Etymology

From Late Latin aequivocus +‎ -al, from aequus +‎ vocō.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /əˈkwɪvəkəl/

  • Audio (UK)

    (file)

• (US) IPA^(key): /ɪˈkwɪvək(ə)l/
• hyphenation UK: equivo‧cal

Noun

equivocal (plural equivocals)

1. A word or expression capable of different meanings; an ambiguous term.

   Synonyms: double entendre, equivoque

Translations

A word or expression capable of different meanings

• Italian: equivoco (it) m, ambiguo (it) m, a varie interpretazioni f

• Spanish: equívoco (es) m

Adjective

equivocal (comparative more equivocal, superlative most equivocal)

1. Having two or more equally applicable meanings; capable of double or multiple interpretation.

   Synonyms: ambiguous, indeterminate

   Antonyms: unequivocal, univocal

   equivocal words

   an equivocal sentence

   • 1817, William Hazlitt, Characters of Shakespeare's Plays

     For the beauties of Shakespeare are not of so dim or equivocal a nature as to be visible only to learned eyes.

2. Capable of being ascribed to different motives, or of signifying opposite feelings, purposes, or characters; deserving to be suspected.

   His actions are equivocal.

   • 1649, J[ohn] Milton, ΕΙΚΟΝΟΚΛΆΣΤΗΣ [EIKONOKLASTES] […], London: […] Matthew Simmons, […], OCLC 1044608640:

     equivocal repentances

3. Uncertain, as an indication or sign.

   Synonyms: uncertain, doubtful, incongruous

   Antonym: certain

   • 1796, Edmund Burke, a letter to a noble lord

     How equivocal a test.

Derived terms

• equivocality
• equivocalness

Related terms

• equivocation
• equivoque

Translations

having several applicable significations

• Bulgarian: двусмислен (bg) (dvusmislen)
• Finnish: moniselitteinen, monimerkityksinen (fi)
• French: équivoque (fr) m or f, ambigu (fr) m, incertain (fr) m
• German: doppeldeutig (de), mehrdeutig (de)
• Greek: διφορούμενος (el) (diforoúmenos), αμφίλογος (el) m (amfílogos)
• Italian: equivoco (it) m, ambiguo (it) m, ambivalente (it), ingannevole (it), dubbio (it) m

• Macedonian: двосмислен m (dvosmislen)
• Portuguese: equívoco (pt)
• Romanian: echivoc (ro), ambiguu (ro)
• Russian: двусмы́сленный (ru) (dvusmýslennyj)
• Spanish: equívoco (es)
• Swedish: tvetydig (sv)

capable of being ascribed to different motives, or of signifying opposite feelings, purposes, or characters

• Finnish: moniselitteinen, epämääräinen (fi)
• French: douteux (fr) m, incertain (fr) m, indéterminé (fr) m, équivoque (fr) m or f
• German: fragwürdig (de)
• Greek: διφορούμενος (el) m (diforoúmenos)

• Italian: ambivalente (it)
• Macedonian: сомнителен m (somnitelen)
• Russian: сомни́тельный (ru) (somnítelʹnyj)

uncertain, doubtful

• Bulgarian: несигурен (bg) (nesiguren), съмнителен (bg) (sǎmnitelen)
• Finnish: epäilyttävä (fi), epäselvä (fi), kyseenalainen (fi), epäjohdonmukainen (fi)
• French: équivoque (fr) m or f
• German: fragwürdig (de)
• Greek: αβέβαιος (el) m (avévaios)

• Italian: equivoco (it), dubbioso (it)
• Macedonian: сомнителен m (somnitelen)
• Romanian: echivoc (ro)
• Russian: сомни́тельный (ru) (somnítelʹnyj)

Further reading

• equivocal in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• equivocal in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.