equivocate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information
    beat around the bush; tergiversate; palter; prevaricate.

WordNet

E*quiv"o*cate intransitive verb
Etymology
L. aequivocatus, p. p. of aequivocari to be called by the same name, fr. L. aequivocus: cf. F. équivoquer. See Equivocal, a.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Equivocated ; present participle & verbal noun Equivocating
Definitions
  1. 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.
E*quiv"o*cate transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To render equivocal or ambiguous.
    He equivocated his vow by a mental reservation. Sir G. Buck.

Webster 1913