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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Equivocal \E*quiv"o*cal\, n.
A word or expression capable of different meanings; an
ambiguous term; an equivoque.
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In languages of great ductility, equivocals like that
just referred to are rarely found. --Fitzed.
Hall.
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Equivocal \E*quiv"o*cal\, a. [L. aequivocus: aequus equal vox,
vocis, word. See {Equal}, and {Voice}, and cf. {Equivoque}.]
1. (Literally, called equally one thing or the other; hence:)
Having two significations equally applicable; capable of
double interpretation; of doubtful meaning; ambiguous;
uncertain; as, equivocal words; an equivocal sentence.
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For the beauties of Shakespeare are not of so dim or
equivocal a nature as to be visible only to learned
eyes. --Jeffrey.
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2. Capable of being ascribed to different motives, or of
signifying opposite feelings, purposes, or characters;
deserving to be suspected; as, his actions are equivocal.
"Equivocal repentances." --Milton.
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3. Uncertain, as an indication or sign; doubtful. "How
equivocal a test." --Burke.
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{Equivocal chord} (Mus.), a chord which can be resolved into
several distinct keys; one whose intervals, being all
minor thirds, do not clearly indicate its fundamental tone
or root; the chord of the diminished triad, and the
diminished seventh.

Syn: Ambiguous; doubtful; uncertain; indeterminate.

Usage: {Equivocal}, {Ambiguous}. We call an expression
ambiguous when it has one general meaning, and yet
contains certain words which may be taken in two
different senses; or certain clauses which can be so
connected with other clauses as to divide the mind
between different views of part of the meaning
intended. We call an expression equivocal when, taken
as a whole, it conveys a given thought with perfect
clearness and propriety, and also another thought with
equal propriety and clearness. Such were the responses
often given by the Delphic oracle; as that to
Cr[oe]sus when consulting about a war with Persia: "If
you cross the Halys, you will destroy a great empire."
This he applied to the Persian empire, which lay
beyond that river, and, having crossed, destroyed his
own empire in the conflict. What is ambiguous is a
mere blunder of language; what is equivocal is usually
intended to deceive, though it may occur at times from
mere inadvertence. Equivocation is applied only to
cases where there is a design to deceive.
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