different between conditional vs equivocal

English

Alternative forms

• conditionall (obsolete)

Etymology

From Old French condicionel (French conditionnel).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /k?n?d???n?l/

Noun

conditional (plural conditionals)

1. (grammar) A conditional sentence; a statement that depends on a condition being true or false.
2. (grammar) The conditional mood.
3. (logic) A statement that one sentence is true if another is.
4. (programming) An instruction that branches depending on the truth of a condition at that point.

5. (obsolete) A limitation.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Francis Bacon to this entry?)

Synonyms

• (in logic): if-then statement; material conditional

Meronyms

• (in logic): antecedent
• (in logic): consequent

Translations

Adjective

conditional (not comparable)

1. Limited by a condition.
   • 1753, William Warburton, The Character and Conduct of the Messengers

     Every covenant of God with man […] may justly be made (as in fact it is made) with this conditional punishment annexed and declared.

2. (logic) Stating that one sentence is true if another is.
   • 1826, Richard Whately, Elements of Logic

     A conditional proposition is one which asserts the dependence of one categorical proposition on another.

3. (grammar) Expressing a condition or supposition.

Synonyms

• conditioned
• relative
• limited
• (in logic): hypothetical

Antonyms

• absolute
• categorical
• unconditional

Derived terms

Translations

English

Alternative forms

• æquivocal (rare, obsolete)

Etymology

From Late Latin aequivocus +? -al, from aequus +? voc?.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /??kw?v?k?l/
• (US) IPA^(key): /??kw?v?k(?)l/
• hyphenation UK: equivo?cal

Noun

equivocal (plural equivocals)

1. A word or expression capable of different meanings; an ambiguous term.

   Synonyms: double entendre, equivoque

Translations

Adjective

equivocal (comparative more equivocal, superlative most equivocal)

1. Having two or more equally applicable meanings; capable of double or multiple interpretation.

   Synonyms: ambiguous, indeterminate

   Antonyms: unequivocal, univocal

   • 1817, William Hazlitt, Characters of Shakespeare's Plays

     For the beauties of Shakespeare are not of so dim or equivocal a nature as to be visible only to learned eyes.

2. Capable of being ascribed to different motives, or of signifying opposite feelings, purposes, or characters; deserving to be suspected.
3. Uncertain, as an indication or sign.

   Synonyms: uncertain, doubtful, incongruous

   Antonym: certain

   • 1796, Edmund Burke, a letter to a noble lord

     How equivocal a test.

Derived terms

• equivocality
• equivocalness

Related terms

• equivocation
• equivoque

Translations

Further reading

• equivocal in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• equivocal in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.