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Definition of Equivocate
1. Verb. Be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information.
Generic synonyms: Misinform, Mislead
Derivative terms: Equivocation, Equivocation, Equivocation, Equivocator, Paltering, Prevarication, Prevarication, Prevarication, Prevaricator, Tergiversation
Definition of Equivocate
1. v. i. 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.
2. v. t. To render equivocal or ambiguous.
Definition of Equivocate
1. Verb. (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. ¹
2. Verb. To render equivocal or ambiguous. ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Equivocate
1. [v -CATED, -CATING, -CATES]
Medical Definition of Equivocate
1. 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." (Bp. Stillingfleet) Synonym: To prevaricate, evade, shuffle, quibble. See Prevaricate. Origin: L. Aequivocatus, p. P. Of aequivocari to be called by the same name, fr. L. Aequivocus: cf. F. Equivoquer. See Equivocal. To render equivocal or ambiguous. "He equivocated his vow by a mental reservation." (Sir G. Buck) Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Equivocate
Literary usage of Equivocate
Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:
1. Synonyms Discriminated: A Complete Catalogue of Synonymous Words in the by Charles John Smith (1871)
"In its modern and familiar use, as equivocate relates to the management of words,
so prevaricate relates to the management of the matter. ..."
2. The Whole Works of the Right Rev. Jeremy Taylor by Jeremy Taylor, Charles Page Eden, Reginald Heber, Alexander Taylor (1852)
"Whether it be lawful to equivocate, or use words of doubt* ful signification with
a purpose to deceive, or knowing that they will deceive; and in what cases ..."
3. The National: A Library for the People by W.J. Linton (1839)
"I am in earnest—I will not equivocate—I will not excuse—I will not retreat a
single inch—AND 1 WILL BE HEARD. The apathy of the people is enough to make ..."
4. A Complete Collection of State Trials and Proceedings for High Treason and ...by Thomas Bayly Howell, William Cobbett by Thomas Bayly Howell, William Cobbett (1816)
"... by Garnet provincial of the Jesuits and Black weil the arch-priest * " If your
incompetent juri^-e shall further ask, whether you do not equivocate, ..."
5. The Works of the Rev. Daniel Waterland: To which is Prefixed a Review of the by Daniel Waterland, William Van Mildert (1856)
"And whether he does not equivocate in saying, ^elsewhere, that the second Person
has been always with the first; and that there has been no time, ..."
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