Definition of "equivocal"

equivocal

/əˈkwɪvəkəl/

adjective
comparative more equivocal, superlative most equivocal
1. Having two or more equally applicable meanings; capable of double or multiple interpretation.
  Quotations
  For the beauties of Shakespeare are not of so dim or equivocal a nature as to be visible only to learned eyes.
  1817, William Hazlitt, Characters of Shakespeare's Plays
2. Capable of being ascribed to different motives, or of signifying opposite feelings, purposes, or characters; deserving to be suspected.
  Quotations
  equivocal repentances
  1649, J[ohn] Milton, ΕΙΚΟΝΟΚΛΆΣΤΗΣ [Eikonoklástēs] […], London: […] Matthew Simmons, […]
3. Uncertain, as an indication or sign.
  Quotations
  How equivocal a test.
  1796, Edmund Burke, A Letter from the Right Honourable Edmund Burke to a Noble Lord, on the Attacks Made upon Him and His Pension
noun
plural equivocals
1. (philosophy) A word or expression capable of different meanings; an ambiguous term.
  Quotations
  Some equivocals are merely ambiguous. Sharp is an example. It is equivocal since it is appropriate to call different types of things 'sharp' though what it is for them to be sharp differs.
  2012, Deborah Achtenberg, Cognition of Value in Aristotle's Ethics