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.

Words nearby equivocation

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

Origin of equivocation

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for equivocation

But diplomatic ambiguity that translates into equivocation and weakness is not helpful at all.
Is the U.S. Enabling Putin's Invasion?|Christopher Dickey|August 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The equivocation leads Weisberg to shift the meaning of flexibility.
Liberals Need to Learn to Say No|Bernhard Schlink|July 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Romney was so proud of his pro-choice pedigree that he even tweaked his Senate opponent, Democrat Ted Kennedy, for equivocation.
Is Romney the Next Kerry?|Matt Latimer|October 9, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Yeah, yeah, Chris said; or something like that—not buying my equivocation and pressing on with the subjunctive.
Would My Father Have Voted for Obama?|Christopher Buckley|May 12, 2009|DAILY BEAST

There is besides these, the doctrine of equivocation, which is a favorite shaft against the Society.
The Jesuits, 1534-1921|Thomas J. Campbell
But this is no equivocation, it is evidence there, that subordinate laws exist and nothing more.
Epidemics Examined and Explained: or, Living Germs Proved by Analogy to be a Source of Disease|John Grove
Falsehoods were easily invented, and might lead her far away from my true condition; but I was wholly unused to equivocation.
Arthur Mervyn|Charles Brockden Brown
And when Lady Helen herself encouraged the boy in his disobedience, and showed him an example of equivocation, what could be said?
Home Influence|Grace Aguilar
He had a keen sense of the difficulty with which a debtor escapes subterfuge and equivocation—forms, slightly disguised, of lying.
The Seven Great Monarchies Of The Ancient Eastern World, Vol 5. (of 7): Persia|George Rawlinson

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

equivocation

noun

Words related to equivocation

Words nearby equivocation

Origin of equivocation

Examples from the Web for equivocation

British Dictionary definitions for equivocation

noun