| equivocate | 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) |
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