equivocallyadv.
/iːˈkwɪvəkəli/ In an equivocal manner.† 1. So as to have the name without the properties implied in the name; nominally. Cf. equivocal adj. 1. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > naming > [adverb] > having a name without qualities implied
equivocally1579
1579 W. Fulke Heskins Parl. Repealed in D. Heskins Ouerthrowne 208 By flesh and bloud æquiuocally, he vnderstandeth the sacrament of the flesh and bloud of Christe.
a1620 M. Fotherby Atheomastix (1622) i. xiv. §4. 152 Which whosoeuer lacketh, he is not properly, but equiuocally, a man.
1660 R. South Interest Deposed 5 Words abstracted from their proper sense & signification, loose the nature of words, & are only equivocally so called.
2. By equivocal generation. See equivocal adj. 3.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > biological processes > procreation or reproduction > types of reproduction > [adverb] > spontaneous
equivocally1645
abiogenetically1875
1645 G. Wither Great Assises in Parnassus 32 Reptiles, which are equivocally bred.
1828 T. B. Macaulay Misc. Writings (1860) 419 Those foul reptiles..of filth and stench equivocally born.
3.
a. So as to admit of a twofold or manifold application.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > equivocal quality, ambiguity > [adverb]
ambiguously1534
equivocally1630
escapinglya1631
equivocatingly1652
bifariously1657
equivocally1660
amphibologically1755
mealy-mouthedly1838
1630 R. Brathwait Eng. Gentleman 124 Vocation may be taken equivocally or univocally.
c1790 T. Reid Let. in Wks. I. 75/2 The same word may be applied to different things in three ways..equivocally, when they have no relation but a common name.
b. So as to convey a double meaning, ambiguously.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > equivocal quality, ambiguity > [adverb]
ambiguously1534
equivocally1630
escapinglya1631
equivocatingly1652
bifariously1657
equivocally1660
amphibologically1755
mealy-mouthedly1838
1660 R. Coke Justice Vindicated ii. 39 I forgive Grotius in this, not having defined anything less equivocally.
a1720 J. Sheffield Wks. (1753) II. 153 She spoke equivocally.
1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. v. v. 551 They [sc. the instructions] were so equivocally worded.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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adv.1579