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.

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

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
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