equivoque

American  

[ek-wuh-vohk, ee-kwuh-] / ˈɛk wəˌvoʊk, ˈi kwə- /

Or equivoke

noun

1. an equivocal term; an ambiguous expression.

2. a play on words; pun.

3. double meaning; ambiguity.

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equivoque British  

/ ˈɛkwɪˌvəʊk /

noun

1. a play on words; pun

2. an ambiguous phrase or expression

3. double meaning; ambiguity

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Etymology

Origin of equivoque

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English equivoc (adjective); see equivocal

Example Sentences

The meaning now is, 'I will end my task faithfully, with an equivoque on 'I will end La Busse, or the play containing him as a character, faithfully.'

From A Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 3 by Bullen, A. H. (Arthur Henry)

The equivoque arises precisely from the word "association."

From Aesthetic as Science of Expression and General Linguistic by Croce, Benedetto

Without an equivoque, I should look with a very ominous dissatisfaction on the "Elysian fields" that lie beyond.

From Pencillings by the Way Written During Some Years of Residence and Travel in Europe by Willis, N. Parker

It is easy to see how the Elizabethan tendency to word-quibble and equivoque would help to give currency to the Latin form.

From The New Hudson Shakespeare: Julius Cæsar by Black, Ebenezer Charlton

Every thing, in a word, is tolerated which can in any way be passed into an equivoque.

From Travels through the South of France and the Interior of Provinces of Provence and Languedoc in the Years 1807 and 1808 by Pinkney, Lt-Col.