\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.
         For the beauties of Shakespeare are not of so dim or
         equivocal a nature as to be visible only to learned
         eyes.                                 --Jeffrey.
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.
3. Uncertain, as an indication or sign; doubtful. ``How
   equivocal a test.'' --Burke.
{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?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.

\E*quiv"o*cal\, n.
A word or expression capable of different meanings; an
ambiguous term; an equivoque.
      In languages of great ductility, equivocals like that
      just referred to are rarely found.       --Fitzed.
                                               Hall.