Equivocal
“Equivocal”是一个形容词,表示模棱两可的、含糊的,用来描述意义不明确、含糊或可以多种解释的陈述或情况。这个词强调模棱两可和含糊。
- The equivocal answer was unclear. (模棱两可的答案不清楚。)
- She gave an equivocal response. (她给出了模棱两可的回答。)
- The equivocal statement was confusing. (模棱两可的陈述令人困惑。)
“Equivocal”来自拉丁语 “aequivocus”,由 “aequus”(相等的)和 “vox”(声音)组成,原意为”两种声音”。
- 词根:equi-(相等的)
- 词根:voc-(声音)
- 后缀:-al(形容词后缀)
“Equivocal”是正式用词,常用于描述意义不明确、含糊的陈述,在正式和日常语境中经常使用。
- 副词形式:equivocally(模棱两可地)
- 名词形式:equivocation(模棱两可)
可以将 “equivocal” 与 “ambiguous”(含糊的)联系起来,两者都与模棱两可、含糊有关。
When I asked my boss if I could take time off, she gave an equivocal answer - she said “maybe” and “we’ll see,” which didn’t really tell me yes or no. The equivocal response left me uncertain about what to do. Something equivocal is unclear and can be interpreted in multiple ways, which can be frustrating when you need a clear answer.
当我问我老板是否可以请假时,她给出了模棱两可的回答——她说”也许”和”我们看看”,这并没有真正告诉我是或否。模棱两可的回答让我不确定该做什么。某些模棱两可的东西不清楚,可以以多种方式解释,当你需要明确答案时,这可能会令人沮丧。