Equivocation

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -eɪʃən

Alternative forms

• æquivocation archaic

Origin

c. 1380, from Old French equivocation, from Medieval Latin aequivocātiōnem, accusative singular of aequivocātiō, from aequivocō, from Late Latin aequivocus ("ambiguous, equivocal"), from Latin aequus ("equal") + vocō ("call");

a calque of Ancient Greek ὁμωνυμία.

Online Etymology Dictionary

Full definition of equivocation

Noun

1. (logic) A logical fallacy resulting from the use of multiple meanings of a single expression.
2. The use of expressions susceptible of a double signification, possibly intentionally and with the aim of misleading.

Related terms

• amphiboly, evasion, evasiveness, prevarication