equivocate

Etymology

From Late Middle English equivocaten, from Medieval Latin aequivocātus, perfect passive participle of aequivocō (“I am called by the same name”), from Late Latin aequivocus (“ambiguous, equivocal”). Compare French équivoquer.

verb

1. (intransitive) To speak using double meaning; to speak ambiguously, unclearly or doubtfully, with intent to deceive.
   All that Garnet had to say for him was that he supposed he meant to equivocate. 1687, Edward Stillingfleet, The Unreasonableness of Separation: Or, An Impartial Account of the History, Nature and Pleas of the Present Separation from the Communion of the Church of England
2. (transitive) To render equivocal or ambiguous.
   He equivocated his vow by a mental reservation 1647, George Buck, Reign of Richard the Third