adv. Also 6–7 æq-. [f. as prec. + -LY2.] In an equivocal manner.
† 1. So as to have the name without the properties implied in the name; nominally. Cf. EQUIVOCAL 1. Obs.
1579. Fulke, Heskins’ Parl., 208. By flesh and bloud æquiuocally, he vnderstandeth the sacrament of the flesh and bloud of Christe.
a. 1619. Fotherby, Atheom., I. xiv. § 4 (1622), 152. Which whosoeuer lacketh, he is not properly, but equiuocally, a man.
1692. South, 12 Serm., 111 (J.). Words abstracted from their proper sence and signification, lose the nature of words, and are only equivocally so called.
2. By equivocal generation. See EQUIVOCAL a. 3.
1645. Wither, Gt. Assises Parnass., 31–3. Reptiles, which are equivocally bred.
1828. Macaulay, Misc. Writ. (1860), 419. Those foul reptiles … of filth and stench equivocally born.
3. a. So as to admit of a twofold or manifold application. b. So as to convey a double meaning, ambiguously.
a. 1630. Brathwait, Eng. Gentlem. (1641), 70. Vocation may be taken equivocally or univocally.
c. 1790. Reid, Lett., in Wks., I. 75/2. The same word may be applied to different things in three ways … equivocally, when they have no relation but a common name.
b. 1660. R. Coke, Just. Vind., 39. I forgive Grotius in this, not having defined anything less equivocally.
a. 1720. Sheffield (Dk. Buckhm.), Wks. (1753), II. 153. She spoke equivocally.
1817. Jas. Mill, Brit. India, II. V. v. 551. They [the instructions] were so equivocally worded.
