univocal

adjective

univ·o·cal | \ yü-ˈni-və-kəl

How to pronounce univocal (audio)

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Definition of univocal

1 : having one meaning only

2 : unambiguous in search of a morally univocal answer

Other Words from univocal Synonyms & Antonyms The History of Univocal More Example Sentences Learn More about univocal

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The History of Univocal

Earliest known print evidence of univocal, in the sense of "having one meaning only," dates the word to the mid-1500s, somewhat earlier than its more familiar antonym equivocal (meaning "often misleadingly subject to two or more interpretations"). Both words trace back to the Latin noun vox, which means "voice." The prefix uni- ("one") was combined with vox to create the Late Latin word univocus, from which English speakers borrowed univocal. Univocal was indeed once used in the sense of "speaking in one voice" (or "unanimous") as its etymology would imply, but that use is now obsolete.

Examples of univocal in a Sentence

those who believe that the language of the Bible is univocal: it is never metaphorical but intended to be taken literally

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Dictionary Entries near univocal

University Place

university press

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Time Traveler for univocal

The first known use of univocal was in 1599

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WORD OF THE DAY

genial

friendly or mild

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