equivocate
Use Equivocate in a sentence
əˌkeɪt verb (used without object), e·quiv·o·cat·ed, e·quiv·o·cat·ing.
to use ambiguous or unclear expressions, usually to avoid commitment or in order to mislead; prevaricate or hedge: When asked directly for his position on disarmament, the candidate only equivocated.
Origin:
1375–1425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin aequivocātus, past participle of aequivocāre; see equivocal, -ate1
1375–1425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin aequivocātus, past participle of aequivocāre; see equivocal, -ate1
Related forms
e·quiv·o·cat·ing·ly, adverb
e·quiv·o·ca·tor, noun
non·e·quiv·o·cat·ing, adjective
out·e·quiv·o·cate, verb (used with object), out·e·quiv·o·cat·ed, out·e·quiv·o·cat·ing.
un·e·quiv·o·cat·ing, adjective
Synonyms
evade, stall, dodge.
evade, stall, dodge.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To equivocate
00:10
Equivocate
is a GRE word you need to know.
So is hackneyed. Does it mean:
| made commonplace or trite; stale or banal |
| frivolously disrespectful, shallow, or lacking in seriousness; characterized by levity: |
Collins
World English Dictionary
equivocate (ɪˈkwɪvəˌkeɪt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| (intr) to use vague or ambiguous language, esp in order to avoid speaking directly or honestly; hedge | |
| [C15: from Medieval Latin aequivocāre, from Late Latin aequivocus ambiguous, | |
| e'quivocatingly | |
| —adv | |
| e'quivocator | |
| —n | |
| e'quivocatory | |
| —adj | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
equivocate
1580s, from V.L. *aequivocat-, pp. stem of aequivocare (see equivocation). Related: Equivocated; equivocating.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
True to the best of what this school stands for, he did not hesitate or equivocate.
He did not know how to equivocate or dissemble.
For once don't equivocate.
However, this article makes the mistake to equivocate economic growth with happiness, inferring that the former causes the latter.
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