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Equivocal vs Devious - What's the difference?

equivocal | devious | Related terms |

As adjectives the difference between equivocal and devious

is that equivocal is having two or more equally applicable meanings; capable of double or multiple interpretation; ambiguous; uncertain while devious is deviating; not straightforward or honest, not frank; not standard.

As a noun equivocal

is a word or expression capable of different meanings; an ambiguous term; an equivoque.

equivocal

English

(Webster 1913)

Alternative forms

* (rare)

Noun

(en noun)
  • A word or expression capable of different meanings; an ambiguous term; an equivoque.

    • Synonyms

    * double entendre

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Having two or more equally applicable meanings; capable of double or multiple interpretation; ambiguous; uncertain.
    • equivocal''' words; an '''equivocal sentence
  • * Jeffrey
    • For the beauties of Shakespeare are not of so dim or equivocal a nature as to be visible only to learned eyes.
  • Capable of being ascribed to different motives, or of signifying opposite feelings, purposes, or characters; deserving to be suspected.
    • His actions are equivocal .
  • * Milton
    • equivocal repentances
  • Uncertain, as an indication or sign; doubtful, incongruous.
  • * Burke
    • How equivocal a test.

    Synonyms

    * ambiguous, doubtful, uncertain, indeterminate

    Antonyms

    * unequivocal * (l)

    Derived terms

    * equivocalness

    Related terms

    * equivocation * equivoque

    External links

    * *

    devious

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Deviating; not straightforward or honest, not frank; not standard.
  • * 1839 , Frederick Marryat, The Phantom Ship
    • Keeping close in to the shore, they discovered, after two hours run, a fresh stream which burst in a cascade from the mountains, and swept its devious course through the jungle, until it poured its tribute into the waters of the Strait.