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equivocation

[ ih-kwiv-uh-key-shuhn ]
/ ɪˌkwɪv əˈkeɪ ʃən /
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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.
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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, era, eradiate
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to equivocation

prevarication, ambiguity, amphiboly, casuistry, coloring, con, cover, cover-up, deceit, deception, deceptiveness, delusion, dissimulation, distortion, doubtfulness, duplicity, evasion, fallacy, fib, hedging

How to use equivocation in a sentence

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
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