equivocal

equiv·o·cal

adj \i-ˈkwi-və-kəl\

Definition of EQUIVOCAL

1

a : subject to two or more interpretations and usually used to mislead or confuse <an equivocal statement> b : uncertain as an indication or sign <equivocal evidence>

2

a : of uncertain nature or classification <equivocal shapes> b : of uncertain disposition toward a person or thing : undecided <an equivocal attitude> c : of doubtful advantage, genuineness, or moral rectitude <equivocal behavior>

— equiv·o·cal·i·ty \-ˌkwi-və-ˈka-lə-tē\ noun

— equiv·o·cal·ly \-ˈkwi-və-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

— equiv·o·cal·ness \-kəl-nəs\ noun

Examples of EQUIVOCAL

1. He responded to reporters' questions with equivocal answers.
2. The experiment produced equivocal results.
3. When I go to galleries to see new art. … I don't care about what I see unless it holds my eye, and that is an almost involuntary experience; but once something has that hold on me—even in a tentative, equivocal way—other factors come into play, and I find myself reaching for analogies, ideas, theories. —Jed Perl, New Republic, 20 Mar. 2000
4. He [Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec] frequented the sleazy underworld of Paris, but moved in top circles too, and by virtue of his equivocal status as a landed gentleman-turned-bohemian artist, was sufficiently an outsider to be a detached observer of the diverse social classes among whom he ranged so freely. —Elizabeth Cowling, Times Literary Supplement, 8 Nov. 1991
5. … in the past, photographs of real situations in color have invited a sense of ambiguity, an element of distrust on the part of viewers, perhaps because the saturated dyes of color film seem to have an equivocal relationship to the harsher realities of social conditions. —Naomi Rosenblum, A World History of Photography, 1989

Origin of EQUIVOCAL

Late Latin aequivocus, from aequi- equi- + voc-, vox voice — more at voice

First Known Use: 1599

Related to EQUIVOCAL

Synonyms: debatable, disputable, dodgy [chiefly British], doubtable, dubious, dubitable, doubtful, fishy, problematic (also problematical), queer, questionable, shady, shaky, suspect, suspicious

Antonyms: certain, hands-down, incontestable, indisputable, indubitable, questionless, sure, undeniable, undoubted, unproblematic, unquestionable

Related Words: alleged, so-called, supposed; moot; ambiguous, open, unclear; uncertain, undecided, undetermined; far-fetched, flimsy, improbable, unlikely, weak

Near Antonyms: decisive, definitive; clear, obvious, open-and-shut, positive

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See Synonym Discussion at obscure

Rhymes with EQUIVOCAL

univocal