The Only Use of
equivocate
in
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
- We must speak by the card, or
equivocation will undo us.†Scene 5.1equivocation = to speak in an ambiguous manner that does not clearly express an opinion or decision
Definitions:
-
(1)
(equivocate) to speak in an evasive or unclear way -- typically in an attempt to satisfy people who want different things or to avoid making a commitment
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
Word Mastery: In the field of logic, equivocation is a fallacy resulting from use of ambiguous language in an incompatible manner; e.g.:
1. Odd things arouse suspicion.
2. Seven is an odd number.
3. Therefore people are suspicious of the number, seven.