English Explanatory Dictionary

equivocation

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. 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.

Pronunciation

/ɪˌkwɪvəˈkeɪʃən/ /ɪˌkwɪvəˈkeɪʃn̩/ /əˌkwɪvəˈkeɪʃn/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Wodencafe-equivocation.wav

Word forms

equivocation equivocations æquivocation

Etymology

c. 1380, from Middle English equivocacion, from Old French equivocation, from Medieval Latin aequivocātiō, from aequivocō, from Late Latin aequivocus (“ambiguous, equivocal”), from Latin aequus (“equal”) + vocō (“call”); a calque of Ancient Greek ὁμωνυμία (homōnumía).

Related words

amphiboly evasion evasiveness prevarication equivoque
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