Entry Word: equivocate

Function: verb

Meaning: to avoid giving a definite answer or position <the candidate equivocated as long as he could on controversial issues>

Synonyms fudge, hedge, pussyfoot

Related Words dodge, duck, evade, sidestep, skirt; bypass, circumvent; cavil, quibble

Phrases beat around (or about) the bush, dance around, hem and haw