equivocation

[ih-kwiv-uh-key-shuh n]

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.

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

Related Words for equivocation

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

Examples from the Web for equivocation

Contemporary Examples of 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
The equivocation leads Weisberg to shift the meaning of flexibility.
Liberals Need to Learn to Say No
Bernhard Schlink
July 10, 2014
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
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

Historical Examples of equivocation

"I go for stoppum Hicks' ranch," said Good Indian, without any attempt at equivocation.
Good Indian
B. M. Bower
Would she be sure to recognize any equivocation, and be angrier at that?
Hetty's Strange History
Anonymous
Had you equivocated in the slightest degree, I should have punished you for the equivocation.
The Channings
Mrs. Henry Wood
But Peter had reached a point where he was tired of equivocation.
The Vagrant Duke
George Gibbs
There must be no mistake about it; no room for doubt or equivocation, you know.
The Daltons, Volume II (of II)
Charles James Lever

British Dictionary definitions for equivocation

equivocation

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

Word Origin and History for equivocation

late 14c., "the fallacy of using a word in different senses at different stages of the reasoning" (a loan-translation of Greek homonymia, literally "having the same name"), from Old French equivocation, from Late Latin aequivocationem (nominative aequivocatio), from aequivocus "of identical sound," past participle of aequivocare, from aequus "equal" (see equal (adj.)) + vocare "to call" (see voice (n.)).