different between equivocal vs ambiguous
equivocal
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)
- A word or expression capable of different meanings; an ambiguous term.
- Synonyms: double entendre, equivoque
Translations
Adjective
equivocal (comparative more equivocal, superlative most equivocal)
- 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.
- Capable of being ascribed to different motives, or of signifying opposite feelings, purposes, or characters; deserving to be suspected.
- 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.
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ambiguous
English
Etymology
From Latin ambiguus (“moving from side to side, of doubtful nature”), from ambigere (“to go about, wander, doubt”), from ambi- (“around, about, on both sides”) + agere (“to drive, move”).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /æm?b??ju?s/
Adjective
ambiguous (comparative more ambiguous, superlative most ambiguous)
- Open to multiple interpretations.
- Synonym: equivocal
- Antonym: unambiguous
- (obsolete, of persons) Hesitant; uncertain; not taking sides.
- 1662 Thomas Salusbury
- And forasmuch as in this same question I am ambiguous, and Simplicius is resolute....
- 1662 Thomas Salusbury
Related terms
- ambages
- ambiguity
- ambiguate
- ambiguation
- disambiguation
Translations
See also
- contradictory
- mistakable
- confusing
Further reading
- ambiguous in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
- ambiguous in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
References
- John A. Simpson and Edward S. C. Weiner, editors (1989) , “ambiguous”, in The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd edition, Oxford: Clarendon Press, ?ISBN
ambiguous From the web:
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