evasiveness
|e-va-sive-ness|
C1
/ɪˈveɪsɪvnəs/
(evasive)
avoidance
Etymology
Etymology Information
'evasiveness' originates from the Latin word 'evasivus', where 'e-' meant 'out of' and 'vadere' meant 'to go'.
Historical Evolution
'evasivus' transformed into the French word 'évasif', and eventually became the modern English word 'evasive' through Middle English.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to go out of or escape', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'tending to avoid commitment or self-revelation'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the quality of being evasive; the tendency to avoid commitment or self-revelation, especially by responding only indirectly.
His evasiveness made it difficult to get a straight answer.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45