6 uses
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Definition
to speak in a manner that does not clearly express an opinion or decision — typically in an attempt to satisfy people who want different things or to avoid making a commitment
- O, come in, equivocator.2.1 — Act 2 Scene 1 — Inverness. Court within the Castle (52% in)
equivocator = liar (who uses ambiguousness to avoid telling the truth)
- Faith, here's an equivocator, that could swear in both the scales against either scale, who committed treason enough for God's sake, yet could not equivocate to heaven: O, come in, equivocator.2.1 — Act 2 Scene 1 — Inverness. Court within the Castle (53% in)
- Faith, here's an equivocator, that could swear in both the scales against either scale, who committed treason enough for God's sake, yet could not equivocate to heaven: O, come in, equivocator.2.1 — Act 2 Scene 1 — Inverness. Court within the Castle (53% in)
- Lechery, sir, it provokes and unprovokes; it provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance: therefore much drink may be said to be an equivocator with lechery: it makes him, and it mars him; it sets him on, and it takes him off; it persuades him, and disheartens him; makes him stand to, and not stand to: in conclusion, equivocates him in a sleep, and giving him the lie, leaves him.2.1 — Act 2 Scene 1 — Inverness. Court within the Castle (60% in)
- Lechery, sir, it provokes and unprovokes; it provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance: therefore much drink may be said to be an equivocator with lechery: it makes him, and it mars him; it sets him on, and it takes him off; it persuades him, and disheartens him; makes him stand to, and not stand to: in conclusion, equivocates him in a sleep, and giving him the lie, leaves him.2.1 — Act 2 Scene 1 — Inverness. Court within the Castle (61% in)
- — I pull in resolution; and begin To doubt the equivocation of the fiend That lies like truth.5.5 — Act 5 Scene 5 — Dunsinane. Within the castle (83% in)
There are no more uses of "equivocate" in Macbeth.
Typical Usage
(best examples)