Ambiguity vs Equivocal - What's the difference?
ambiguity | equivocal | Related terms |
(countable) Something, particulary words and sentences, that is open to more than one interpretation, explanation or meaning, if that meaning etc cannot be determined from its context.
(uncountable) The state of being ambiguous.
Having two or more equally applicable meanings; capable of double or multiple interpretation; ambiguous; uncertain.
* Jeffrey
Capable of being ascribed to different motives, or of signifying opposite feelings, purposes, or characters; deserving to be suspected.
* Milton
Uncertain, as an indication or sign; doubtful, incongruous.
* Burke
As nouns the difference between ambiguity and equivocal
is that ambiguity is something, particulary words and sentences, that is open to more than one interpretation, explanation or meaning, if that meaning etc cannot be determined from its context while equivocal is a word or expression capable of different meanings; an ambiguous term; an equivoque.As an adjective equivocal is
having two or more equally applicable meanings; capable of double or multiple interpretation; ambiguous; uncertain.ambiguity
English
(wikipedia ambiguity)Noun
- His speech was made with such great ambiguity that neither supporter nor opponent could be certain of his true position.
Synonyms
* (state of being ambiguous) ambiguousness, imprecisionAntonyms
* unambiguityequivocal
English
(Webster 1913)Alternative forms
* (rare)Synonyms
* double entendreAdjective
(en adjective)- equivocal''' words; an '''equivocal sentence
- For the beauties of Shakespeare are not of so dim or equivocal a nature as to be visible only to learned eyes.
- His actions are equivocal .
- equivocal repentances
- How equivocal a test.