From aequivocus + -al, from aequus + vocō.

• (British) IPA: /əˈkwɪvəkəl/
• (America) IPA: /ɪˈkwɪvək(ə)l/

equivocal

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

   Synonyms: ambiguous, indeterminate

   Antonyms: unequivocal, univocal

   equivocal words

   an equivocal sentence

   • 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.

   His actions are equivocal.

   • 1649, J[ohn] Milton, ΕΙΚΟΝΟΚΛΆΣΤΗΣ [Eikonoklástēs] […], London: […] Matthew Simmons, […], →OCLC ↗:

     equivocal repentances

3. Uncertain, as an indication or sign.

   Synonyms: uncertain, doubtful, incongruous

   Antonyms: certain

   • 1796, Edmund Burke, A Letter from the Right Honourable Edmund Burke to a Noble Lord, on the Attacks Made upon Him and His Pension, […], 10th edition, London: […] J. Owen, […], and F[rancis] and C[harles] Rivington, […], →OCLC ↗:

     How equivocal a test.

• equivocation
• equivoque

• French: équivoque, ambigu, incertain
• German: doppeldeutig, mehrdeutig
• Italian: equivoco, ambiguo, ambivalente, ingannevole, dubbio
• Portuguese: equívoco
• Russian: двусмы́сленный
• Spanish: equívoco

• French: douteux, incertain, indéterminé, équivoque
• German: fragwürdig, zweideutig, zweifelhaft
• Italian: ambivalente
• Russian: сомни́тельный

• French: équivoque
• German: fragwürdig, zweifelhaft
• Italian: equivoco, dubbioso
• Russian: сомни́тельный

equivocal (plural equivocals)

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

   Synonyms: double entendre, equivoque

• Italian: equivoco, ambiguo, a varie interpretazioni
• Spanish: equívoco