equivocate
To speak using double meaningTo speak using double meaning; to speak ambiguously, unclearly or doubtfully, with intent to deceive; to vacillate in one's answers, responding with equivoques.
» I knew that Tom would equivocate.
Meaning
2 senses(intransitive)To speak using double meaning; to speak ambiguously, unclearly or doubtfully, with intent to deceive; to vacillate in one's answers, responding with equivoques.
(transitive)To render equivocal or ambiguous.
- be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information
Examples
1 sentencesI knew that Tom would equivocate.
Translations
3 languagesOrigin
From Late Middle English equivocaten, from Medieval Latin aequivocātus, perfect passive paFrom Late Middle English equivocaten, from Medieval Latin aequivocātus, perfect passive participle of aequivocō (“to be called by the same name”), from Late Latin aequivocus (“ambiguous, equivocal”). Compare French équivoque.
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Forms
equivocates, equivocating, equivocated, equivocated| Base form | equivocate · to equivocate |
|---|---|
| 3rd person singular | equivocates |
| Present participle | equivocating |
| Past simple | equivocated |
| Past participle | equivocated |
regular · Lesson
Synonyms
7 synonyms- be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information:beat around the bushtergiversateprevaricatepalter
Word family
6 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle