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Definitions

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

  1. v. To use equivocal language intentionally.
  2. v. To avoid making an explicit statement. See Synonyms at lie2.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

  1. To use words of a doubtful signification; express one's opinions in terms which admit of different interpretations; specifically, to use ambiguous expressions with a view to mislead; prevaricate.
  2. To render equivocal; render false or lying.
  3. Having a double signification.

Wiktionary

  1. v. 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. To render equivocal or ambiguous.

GNU Webster's 1913

  1. v. 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.
  2. v. To render equivocal or ambiguous.

WordNet 3.0

  1. v. be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information

Etymologies

  1. Middle English equivocaten, from Medieval Latin aequivocāre, aequivocāt-, from Late Latin aequivocus, equivocal; see equivocal.

Examples

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Lists

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Comments

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  • Prolagus I am in earnest
    I will not equivocate
    I will not excuse
    I will not retreat a single inch;
    and I will be heard.

    William Lloyd Garrison Mar 12, 2008

  • padawan equivocate: to mislead.
    equivocarse: to be mistaken. Jan 9, 2008

‘equivocate’ has been looked up 4545 times, loved by 11 people, added to 77 lists, commented on 2 times, and has a Scrabble score of 24.