different between equivocate vs ambivalence

English

Alternative forms

• æquivocate (archaic)

Etymology

From Medieval Latin aequivoc?tus, perfect passive participle of aequivoc? (“I am called by the same name”), from Late Latin aequivocus (“ambiguous, equivocal”): compare French équivoquer. See equivocal.

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /??kw?v??ke?t/

Verb

equivocate (third-person singular simple present equivocates, present participle equivocating, simple past and past participle equivocated)

1. (intransitive) 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.
   • 1687, Edward Stillingfleet, The Unreasonableness of Separation: Or, An Impartial Account of the History, Nature and Pleas of the Present Separation from the Communion of the Church of England

     All that Garnet had to say for him was that he supposed he meant to equivocate.

2. To render equivocal or ambiguous.

Synonyms

• prevaricate
• evade
• shuffle
• quibble
• dodge
• adumbrate

Translations

See also

• prevaricate

Further reading

• Douglas Harper (2001–2021) , “equivocate”, in Online Etymology Dictionary

Italian

Verb

equivocate

1. second-person plural present indicative of equivocare
2. second-person plural imperative of equivocare
3. feminine plural of equivocato

English

Etymology

From German Ambivalenz (“simultaneous conflicting feelings”), from Latin ambo (“both”) and valentia (“strength”), from the verb valere (“to be strong”) (see valiant). The German term was coined by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1910; by 1929, it had taken on a broader literary and general sense.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /æm?b?v?l?ns/

Noun

ambivalence (countable and uncountable, plural ambivalences)

1. The coexistence of opposing attitudes or feelings (such as love and hate) towards a person, object or idea.
   • 1952, Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man, Prologue:

     "I dearly loved my master, son," she said.

     "You should have hated him," I said.

     "He gave me several sons," she said, "and because I loved my sons I learned to love their father though I hated him too."

     "I too have become acquainted with ambivalence, I said.

2. A state of uncertainty or indecisiveness.

Usage notes

This word is often used to express a lack of concern about the outcome of a choice to be made. In this case, a more appropriate word to use is indifference.

Related terms

• ambivalent

Translations

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??.bi.va.l??s/

Noun

ambivalence f (plural ambivalences)

1. ambivalence
2. ambiguity