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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary equiv·o·cal ETYMOLOGY Late Latin aequivocus, from aequi- equi- + voc-, vox voice — more at voice DATE 1599 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 Synonyms: see obscure English Etymology equivocal c.1600, from L.L. aequivocus (see equivocation). Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 equivocal equivo·cal / i5kwivEkl / adjective(formal) 1. (of words or statements 言语或陈述) not having six clear or definite meaning or intention; able to be understood in more than six way 模棱两可的；意义双关的；含糊其词的 SYN ambiguous : She gave an equivocal answer, typical of a politician. 她的回答模棱两可,是典型的政客做法。 2. (of actions or behaviour 行动或行为) difficult to understand or explain clearly or easily 难以理解的；难以解释清楚的: The experiments produced equivocal results. 这些实验产生的结果难以理解。 ⇨ see also unequivocal Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Thesaurus-11th Edition adj. Function: adjective 1 Synonyms: OBSCURE 3, ambiguous, amphibological, tenebrous, uncertain, unclear, unexplicit, unintelligible, vague Related Words: hazy, indistinct; doubtful, dubious, questionable; indeterminate, multivocal Idioms: clear as mud Contrasted Words: clear, distinct, understandable; categorical, explicit, unambiguous, univocal; certain, conclusive Antonyms: unequivocal 2 characterized by a mixture of opposing feelings FF1C;an equivocal attitude toward the expensive proposalFF1E; Synonyms: ambivalent Related Words: uncertain, undecided Idioms: having mixed (or divided) feelings Contrasted Words: assured, certain, decided, sure 3 3 Synonyms: DOUBTFUL 1, ambiguous, borderline, clouded, dubious, fishy, indecisive, open, problematic, suspect Related Words: disreputable Idioms: open to question Contrasted Words: credible Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged equiv·o·cal I. \ə̇ˈkwivəkəl, ēˈ-\ adjective Etymology: Late Latin aequivocus (from aequi- equi- + -vocus, from voc-, vox voice) + English -al — more at voice 1. a. : having two or more significations : capable of more than one interpretation : of doubtful meaning : ambiguous < an equivocal word > < an equivocal statement > — compare univocal b. : uncertain as an indication or sign : inconclusive < the evidence from bacteriologic analysis was equivocal > 2. obsolete : called by the same name but differing in nature or function : nominal < they being subject to the oversight of the ephori were but equivocal kings — James Ussher > 3. a. : of uncertain nature or classification : of a nature that does not admit of definite classification : indeterminate < the equivocal objects painted by surrealists > b. (1) : of uncertain disposition toward a person or thing : undecided , inscrutable < the equivocal behavior of the officials increased the uneasiness of the riot victims > < something equivocal about him contrasting with the other's straightforward manner > (2) : characterized by a mixture of opposite feelings : ambivalent < an equivocal attitude toward the proposal > c. : open to question regarding advantage, validity, genuineness, or moral rectitude : questionable , dubious < popularity is an equivocal crown — A.L.Guérard > < his conscience reproached him with the equivocal character of the union into which he had forced his son — Anna Jameson > Synonyms: see obscure II. noun (-s) : something equivocal; especially : an equivocal word or term < regards the term being as an analogical equivocal > |
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