Part 3894

<i>Milton.</i>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>Uncertain, as an indication or sign; doubtful.</def> "How <i>equivocal</i> a test."

<i>Burke.</i>

<cs><col>Equivocal chord</col> <fld>(Mus.)</fld>, <cd>a chord which can be resolved into several distinct keys; one whose intervals, being all minor thirds, do not clearly indicate its fundamental tone or root; the chord of the diminished triad, and the diminished seventh.</cd></cs>

<syn>Syn. -- Ambiguous; doubtful; uncertain; indeterminate.</syn> <usage> -- <er>Equivocal</er>, <er>Ambiguous</er>. We call an expression <i>ambiguous</i> when it has one general meaning, and yet contains certain words which may be taken in two different senses; or certain clauses which can be so connected with other clauses as to divide the mind between different views of part of the meaning intended. We call an expression <i>equivocal</i> when, taken as a whole, it conveys a given thought with perfect clearness and propriety, and also another thought with equal propriety and clearness. Such were the responses often given by the Delphic oracle; as that to Cr<?/sus when consulting about a war with Persia: "If you cross the Halys, you will destroy a great empire." This he applied to the Persian empire, which lay beyond that river, and, having crossed, destroyed his own, empire in the conflict. What is <i>ambiguous</i> is a mere blunder of language; what is <i>equivocal</i> is usually intended to deceive, though it may occur at times from mere inadvertence. <i>Equivocation</i> is applied only to cases where there is a design to deceive.</usage>

<h1>Equivocal</h1> <Xpage=506>

<hw>E*quiv"o*cal</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>A word or expression capable of different meanings; an ambiguous term; an equivoque.</def>

<blockquote>In languages of great ductility, <b>equivocals</b> like that just referred to are rarely found. <i>Fitzed. Hall.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Equivocally</h1> <Xpage=506>

<hw>E*quiv"o*cal*ly</hw>, <tt>adv.</tt> <def>In an equivocal manner.</def>

<h1>Equivocalness</h1> <Xpage=506>

<hw>E*quiv"o*cal*ness</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>The state of being equivocal.</def>

<h1>Equivocate</h1> <Xpage=506>

<hw>E*quiv"o*cate</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. i.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Equivocated</er> <tt>(?)</tt>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Equivocating</er>.]</wordforms> <ety>[L. <ets>aequivocatus</ets>, p. p. of <ets>aequivocari</ets> to be called by the same name, fr. L. <ets>aequivocus</ets>: cf. F. <ets>\'82quivoquer</ets>. See <er>Equivocal</er>, <tt>a.</tt>]</ety> <def>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>as, to <ex>equivocate</ex> is the work of duplicity</as>.</def>

<blockquote>All that Garnet had to say for him was that he supposed he meant to <b>equivocate</b>. <i>Bp. Stillingfleet.</i></blockquote>

<syn>Syn. -- To prevaricate; evade; shuffle; quibble. See <er>Prevaricate</er>.</syn>

<h1>Equivocate</h1> <Xpage=506>

<hw>E*quiv"o*cate</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <def>To render equivocal or ambiguous.</def>

<blockquote>He <b>equivocated</b> his vow by a mental reservation. <i>Sir G. Buck.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Equivocation</h1> <Xpage=506>

<hw>E*quiv`o*ca"tion</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>The use of expressions susceptible of a double signification, with a purpose to mislead.</def>

<blockquote>There being no room for <b>equivocations</b>, there is no need of distinctions. <i>Locke.</i></blockquote>

<syn>Syn. -- Prevarication; ambiguity; shuffling; evasion; guibbling. See <er>Equivocal</er>, <tt>a.</tt>, and <er>Prevaricate</er>, <tt>v. i.</tt></syn>

<h1>Equivocator</h1> <Xpage=506>

<hw>E*quiv"o*ca`tor</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>One who equivocates.</def>

<blockquote>Here's an <b>equivocator</b> that could swear in both the scales against either scale, yet could not equivocate to heaven. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Equivocatory</h1> <Xpage=506>

<hw>E*quiv"o*ca*to*ry</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Indicating, or characterized by, equivocation.</def>