equivocal
EnglishEdit
Alternative formsEdit
- æquivocal (rare, obsolete)
EtymologyEdit
From Late Latin aequivocus + -al, from aequus + vocō.
PronunciationEdit
- (UK) IPA(key): /əˈkwɪvəkəl/
Audio (UK) (file)
- (US) IPA(key): /ɪˈkwɪvək(ə)l/
- hyphenation UK: equivo‧cal
NounEdit
equivocal (plural equivocals)
- A word or expression capable of different meanings; an ambiguous term.
- Synonyms: double entendre, equivoque
TranslationsEdit
A word or expression capable of different meanings
AdjectiveEdit
equivocal (comparative more equivocal, superlative most equivocal)
- 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.
- Capable of being ascribed to different motives, or of signifying opposite feelings, purposes, or characters; deserving to be suspected.
- His actions are equivocal.
- 1649, [John] Milton, [Eikonoklastes] […], London: Printed by Matthew Simmons, […], OCLC 1044608640:
- equivocal repentances
- 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 termsEdit
Related termsEdit
TranslationsEdit
having several applicable significations
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capable of being ascribed to different motives, or of signifying opposite feelings, purposes, or characters
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uncertain, doubtful
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Further readingEdit
- equivocal in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
- equivocal in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.