Hypertext Webster Gateway: "equivocate"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Equivocate \E*quiv"o*cate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Equivocated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Equivocating}.] [L. aequivocatus, p. p. of
aequivocari to be called by the same name, fr. L. aequivocus:
cf. F. ['e]quivoquer. See {Equivocal}, a.]
To use words of equivocal or doubtful signification; to
express one's opinions in terms which admit of different
senses, with intent to deceive; to use ambiguous expressions
with a view to mislead; as, to equivocate is the work of
duplicity.
All that Garnet had to say for him was that he supposed
he meant to equivocate. --Bp.
Stillingfleet.
Syn: To prevaricate; evade; shuffle; quibble. See
{Prevaricate}.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Equivocate \E*quiv"o*cate\, v. t.
To render equivocal or ambiguous.
He equivocated his vow by a mental reservation. --Sir
G. Buck.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
equivocate
v : be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or
withhold information [syn: {tergiversate}, {prevaricate},
{palter}]
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