definitions

equivocation

[ ih-kwiv-uh-key-shuh n ]
/ ɪˌkwɪv əˈkeɪ ʃən /
|
SEE MORE 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.

RELATED CONTENT

Weasel Words And Other Ways We Avoid Telling The TruthMost of us know what the word lying means, but what happens when someone carefully skirts the truth instead of telling a bold-faced whopper? Politicians, in particular, are well known for making use of equivocal language as a way of hiding their true actions.
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

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

Nearby words

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. 2019

Examples 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
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