EQUIVOCATE
Etymology
Verb
equivocate (third-person singular simple present equivocates, present participle equivocating, simple past and past participle equivocated)
(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.
To render equivocal or ambiguous.
Synonyms
• prevaricate
• evade
• shuffle
• quibble
• dodge
• adumbrate
Source: Wiktionary
E*quiv"o*cate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Equivocated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Equivocating.] Etym: [L. aequivocatus, p. p. of aequivocari to be
called by the same name, fr. L. aequivocus: cf. F. équivoquer. See
Equivocal, a.]
Definition: 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, v. t.
Definition: To render equivocal or ambiguous.
He equivocated his vow by a mental reservation. Sir G. Buck.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition