a. and sb. Also 7 equi-, æquivocall, 7–9 æquivocal. [f. late L. æquivoc-us ambiguous (f. æquus equal + voc-āre to call) + -AL.] A. adj.
† 1. Equal or the same in name (with something else) but not in reality; having a name, without the qualities it implies; nominal. Obs.
1642. Sir T. Browne, Relig. Med., I. § 12. 21. This visible world is but a picture of the invisible, wherein as a pourtract, things are not truely, but in equivocall shapes.
1661. Ussher, Power Princes, I. (1683), 34. They being subject to the oversight … of the Ephori, were but equivocal Kings, such in name, but not in deed.
1744. Berkeley, Siris, § 210. 97. Plotinus supposeth, that from the sun’s light which is corporeal, there springs forth another equivocal light which is incorporeal.
2. Of words, phrases, etc.: Having different significations equally appropriate or plausible; capable of double interpretation; ambiguous.
1601–2. Fulbecke, 1st Pt. Parall., 68 b. 68. Your libell … should be certaine, and without ambiguous or equiuocall tearmes.
1604. Shaks., Oth., I. iii. 217. These Sentences, to Sugar, or to Gall, Being strong on both sides, are Equiuocall.
1656. Cowley, Pindar. Odes, Note 47. These vast accounts arose from the æquivocal term of a Year among them.
1712. F. T., Meth. Short-Hand, 25. Even in Long-Hand oftentimes equivocal Abbreviations are often written.
1756–7. trans. Keysler’s Trav. (1760), IV. 208. He … takes care that his answers be so equivocal as always to secure him a retreat.
1818. Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), VI. 187. There was perhaps no word in the language of more equivocal effect than the word or.
1868. Gladstone, Juv. Mundi, vii. (1870), 184. To say … that the Greek religion as it grew old improved … would be to use equivocal and misleading language.
b. Of evidence, manifestations, etc.: Of uncertain bearing or significance.
1769. Junius Lett., xxvii. 126. Some … less equivocal proofs of his munificence.
1794. R. J. Sulivan, View Nat., V. 97. No very equivocal symptom of antiquity.
1842. H. Rogers, Ess., I. i. 3. An equivocal indication of merit.
c. nonce-use. Of a person: Expressing himself in equivocal terms.
1601. Shaks., All’s Well, V. iii. 249. As thou art a knaue and no knaue, what an equiuocall Companion is this?
3. Of uncertain nature; not admitting of being classified, ‘nondescript.’ Equivocal generation: the (supposed) production of plants or animals without parents; spontaneous generation.
1658. Sir T. Browne, Gard. Cyrus, iii. 51. The Æquivocal production of things under undiscerned principles, makes a large part of generation.
1662. Stillingfl., Orig. Sacr., I. iv. § 9. Born by the same æquivocall generation that mice and frogs are from the impregnated slime of the earth.
1677. Hale, Prim. Orig. Man., IV. ii. 306. Whether those imperfect or equivocal Animals were created or no, it is not altogether clear.
1724. Swift, Drapier’s Lett., vii. If any new ones [party and faction] spring up, they must be of equivocal generation, without any seed.
1772–84. Cook, Voy. (1790), I. 29. The sea was tinged … with these equivocal substances.
1796. C. Marshall, Garden., ii. 16. Equivocal generation we reject.
1830. Scott, Demonol., v. 143. The equivocal spirits called fairies.
1863. Lyell, Antiq. Man, xx. 391. The old doctrine of equivocal or spontaneous generation.
b. Of sentiments, etc.: Undecided, not determined to either side. Chiefly in negative sentences.
1791. Burke, Corr. (1844), III. 219. I am sure the sentiments of London were not equivocal.
1845. Sarah Austin, trans. Ranke’s Hist. Ref., I. 139. The equivocal and half hostile attitude he had assumed.
c. Music. Equivocal chord: one that may be resolved into different keys without changing any of its tones.
4. Of advantages, merits, etc.: Dubiously genuine, questionable.
a. 1797. H. Walpole, Mem. Geo. III. (1845), I. ii. 19. A Churchman … whose sanctity was as equivocal as their own.
1846. Prescott, Ferd. & Is., II. xix. 191. In the sciences their success was more equivocal.
1847. Disraeli, Tancred, I. II. vii. 185. Without that equivocal luxury a great country house.
1878. Bosw. Smith, Carthage, 159. To set against this equivocal gain, the Romans had lost 700 ships.
5. Of persons, callings, tendencies, etc.: Doubtful in character or reputation; liable to unfavorable comment or description; questionable; suspicious.
1790. Burke, Fr. Rev., 199. I shall always, however, consider that liberty as very equivocal in her appearance, which has not wisdom and justice for her companions.
1831. Lytton, Godolphin, 12. The equivocal mode of life he had entered upon.
1863. Geo. Eliot, Romola, II. xxi. The preparations for the equivocal guest.
† B. sb. An equivocal word or term; a homonym.
1653. Urquhart, Rabelais, I. ix. (1664), 45. Æquivocals so absurd and witlesse, so barbarous and clownish, that [etc.].
1668. Wilkins, Real Char., 17. Great variety of Equivocals. So the word Bill signifies both a Weapon, a Bird’s Beak, and a written Scroul.
1725. Bentley, Serm., x. (1735), 360. The scandalous shifts of Equivocals and Mental Restrictions.
1721. Dennis, Orig. Lett., I. 275 (J.). Shall two or three wretched Equivocals … have the force to corrupt us?
1775. in Ash; and in mod. Dicts.
