Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Equivocate
E-quiv′o-cate
,Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Equivocated
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Equivocating
.] [L. ]
aequivocatus
, p. p. of aequivocari
to be called by the same name, fr. L. aequivocus
: cf. F. équivoquer
. See Equivocal
, Adj.
To use words of equivocal or doubtful signification; to express one’s opinions in terms which admit of different senses, with intent to deceive; to use ambiguous expressions with a view to mislead;
as, to
. equivocate
is the work of duplicity
Syn. – To prevaricate; evade; shuffle; quibble. See
Prevaricate
. E-quiv′o-cate
,Verb.
T.
To render equivocal or ambiguous.
He
equivocated
his vow by a mental reservation. Sir G. Buck.
Webster 1828 Edition
Equivocate
EQUIV'OCATE
,Verb.
I.
Definition 2025
equivocate
equivocate
See also: equivócate
English
Alternative forms
- æquivocate (archaic)
Verb
equivocate (third-person singular simple present equivocates, present participle equivocating, simple past and past participle equivocated)
- (intransitive) To use words of equivocal or doubtful signification; to express one's opinions in terms which admit of different senses, with intent to deceive; to use ambiguous expressions with a view to mislead; as, to equivocate is the work of duplicity.
- All that Garnet had to say for him was that he supposed he meant to equivocate. -Edward Stillingfleet.
- To render equivocal or ambiguous.
- He equivocated his vow by a mental reservation. -George Buck.
Synonyms
Translations
to express one's opinions in terms which admit of different senses, with intent to deceive
|
|
to render equivocal or ambiguous
|
See also
Italian
Verb
equivocate
- second-person plural present indicative of equivocare
- second-person plural imperative of equivocare
- feminine plural of equivocato