equivocation

[ ih-kwiv-uh-key-shuh n ]
/ ɪˌkwɪv əˈkeɪ ʃən /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR equivocation ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the use of equivocal or ambiguous expressions, especially in order to mislead or hedge; prevarication.
an equivocal, ambiguous expression; equivoque: The speech was marked by elaborate equivocations.
Logic. a fallacy caused by the double meaning of a word.

Origin of equivocation

1350–1400; Middle English equivocacion < Late Latin aequivocātiōn- (stem of aequivocātiō). See equivocate, -ion

Words nearby equivocation

equivalent weight, equivalve, equivocal, equivocally, equivocate, equivocation, equivoque, equuleus, er, er rif, era

Words related to equivocation

prevarication, duplicity, delusion, waffle, casuistry, lie, coloring, deception, evasion, fib, ambiguity, tergiversation, song, speciousness, doubtfulness, deceit, line, misrepresentation, cover-up, cover

Example sentences from the Web for equivocation

British Dictionary definitions for equivocation

equivocation
/ (ɪˌkwɪvəˈkeɪʃən) /

noun

the act or an instance of equivocating
logic a fallacy based on the use of the same term in different senses, esp as the middle term of a syllogism, as the badger lives in the bank, and the bank is in the High Street, so the badger lives in the High Street