evasiveness

3 definitions found

evasiveness - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  evasive \e*va"sive\ ([-e]*v[=a]"s[i^]v), a. [Cf. F. ['e]vasif.
     See Evade.]
     Tending to evade, or marked by evasion; elusive; shuffling;
     avoiding by artifice.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           Thus he, though conscious of the ethereal guest,
           Answered evasive of the sly request.     --Pope.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           Stammered out a few evasive phrases.     --Macaulay.
     -- E*va"sive*ly, adv. -- E*va"sive*ness, n.
     [1913 Webster]

  evasiveness \e*va"siv*eness\ ([-e]*v[=a]"s[i^]v*n[e^]s), n.
     Deliberate vagueness or ambiguity; failing to answer a
     question while trying to seem as though one is answering.
  
     Syn: equivocation.
          [WordNet 1.5]

evasiveness - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  evasiveness
      n 1: intentionally vague or ambiguous [syn: equivocation,
           prevarication, evasiveness]