equivocal

1. a. (Literally, called equally one thing or the other; hence:) Having two significations equally applicable; capable of double interpretation; of doubtful meaning; ambiguous; uncertain; as, equivocal words; an equivocal sentence. Source: opted

2. a. Capable of being ascribed to different motives, or of signifying opposite feelings, purposes, or characters; deserving to be suspected; as, his actions are equivocal. Source: opted

3. a. Uncertain, as an indication or sign; doubtful. Source: opted

4. n. A word or word/expression">expression capable of different meanings; an ambiguous term; an equivoque. Source: opted

5. adj. open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead Source: wordnet

6. adj. open to question Source: wordnet

7. adj. uncertain as a sign or indication Source: wordnet

8. 1. (Literally, called equally one thing or the other; hence:) Having two significations equally applicable; capable of double interpretation; of doubtful meaning; ambiguous; uncertain; as, equivocal words; an equivocal sentence. For the beauties of Shakespeare are not of so dim or equivocal a nature as to be visible only to learned eyes. Jeffrey. 2. Capable of being ascribed to different motives, or of signifying opposite feelings, purposes, or characters; deserving to be suspected; as, his actions are equivocal. "Equivocal repentances." Milton. 3. Uncertain, as an indication or sign; doubtful. "How equivocal a test." Burke. Equivocal chord (Mus.), a chord which can be resolved into several distinct keys; one whose intervals, being all minor thirds, do not clearly indicate its fundamental tone or root; the chord of the diminished triad, and the diminished seventh. Syn. -- Ambiguous; doubtful; uncertain; indeterminate. -- Equivocal, Ambiguous. We call an expression ambiguous when it has one general meaning, and yet contains certain words which may be taken in two different senses; or certain clauses which can be so connected with other clauses as to divide the mind between different views of part of the meaning intended. We call an expression equivocal when, taken as a whole, it conveys a given thought with perfect clearness and propriety, and also another thought with equal propriety and clearness. Such were the responses often given by the Delphic oracle; as that to Crambiguous is a mere blunder of language; what is equivocal is usually intended to deceive, though it may occur at times from mere inadvertence. Equivocation is applied only to cases where there is a design to deceive. A word or expression capable of different meanings; an ambiguous term; an equivoque. In languages of great ductility, equivocals like that just referred to are rarely found. Fitzed. Hall. Source: webster

9. A word or word/expression">expression capable of different meanings; anambiguous term; an equivoque.In languages of great ductility, equivocals like that just referredto are rarely found. Fitzed. Hall. Source: adambom

10. j:100 a. open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead s. open to question s. uncertain as a sign or indication Source: ecdict

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