Equivocate
Equivocate , intransitive verb
[Latin aequivocatus, past participle of aequivocari to be called by the same name, from Latin aequivocus: compare French équivoquer. See Equivocal, a.]
To use words of equivocal or doubtful signification; to express one's opinions in terms which admit of different senses, with intent to deceive; to use ambiguous expressions with a view to mislead; as, to equivocate is the work of duplicity.
All that Garnet had to say for him was that he supposed he meant to equivocate.
Equivocate , transitive verb
To render equivocal or ambiguous.
He equivocated his vow by a mental reservation.