释义 |
View usage for: (ɪkwɪvəkəl) 1. adjectiveIf you are equivocal, you are deliberately vague in what you say, because you want to avoid speaking the truth or making a decision. [formal] Many were equivocal about the idea. [+ about] His equivocal response has done nothing to dampen the speculation. 2. adjectiveIf something is equivocal, it is difficult to understand, interpret, or explain, often because it has aspects that seem to contradict each other. [formal] Research in this area is somewhat equivocal. He was tortured by an awareness of the equivocal nature of his position. More Synonyms of equivocal equivocal in British English (ɪˈkwɪvəkəl) adjective1. capable of varying interpretations; ambiguous 2. deliberately misleading or vague; evasive 3. of doubtful character or sincerity; dubious Derived forms equivocally (eˈquivocally) adverb equivocality (eˌquivoˈcality) or equivocalness (eˈquivocalness) noun Word origin C17: from Late Latin aequivocus, from Latin equi- + vōx voice equivocal in American English (iˈkwɪvəkəl; ɪˈkwɪvəkəl) adjective1. that can have more than one interpretation; having two or more meanings; purposely vague, misleading, or ambiguous an equivocal reply 2. uncertain; undecided; doubtful an equivocal outcome 3. suspicious; questionable equivocal conduct SIMILAR WORDS: obˈscure Derived forms equivocality (eˌquivoˈcality) (iˈkwɪvəˈkæləti) noun or eˈquivocalness equivocally (eˈquivocally) adverb Word origin < LL aequivocus (see equivocate) & -al Examples of 'equivocal' in a sentenceequivocal She remains an equivocal role model: religious ecstasy is tricky in a secular age.On the matter of his half-brother he is less equivocal.What is more surprising is that we still have an equivocal attitude to the English Baroque.Jos had always had rather a mean opinion of the Captain, and now began to think his courage was somewhat equivocal. Definition of doubtful character or sincerity Her equivocal response gave nothing away. Synonyms oblique prevaricating oracular Opposites clear , certain , straight , positive , plain , absolute , evident , decisive , explicit , definite , manifest , clear-cut , unequivocal , unambiguous , cut-and-dried (informal) , incontrovertible , indubitable Additional synonymsThe actor has an ambivalent attitude to fame. Synonyms undecided, mixed, conflicting, opposed, uncertain, doubtful, unsure, contradictory, wavering, unresolved, fluctuating, hesitant, inconclusive, debatable, equivocal, vacillating, warring, irresolute, in two minds Definition unlikely or improbable It seemed doubtful that he would move at all. Synonyms unlikely, unclear, dubious, unsettled, dodgy (British, Australian, New Zealand, informal), questionable, ambiguous, improbable, indefinite, unconfirmed, inconclusive, debatable, indeterminate, iffy (informal), equivocal, inexactDefinition unsure or undecided My parents were a bit dubious about it all. Synonyms unsure, uncertain, suspicious, hesitating, doubtful, sceptical, tentative, wavering, hesitant, undecided, unconvinced, iffy (informal), leery (slang), distrustful, in two minds (informal) - equity
- equivalence
- equivalent
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