equivocation

Meaning

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

Synonyms

ambiguity

evasion

prevarication

tergiversation

duplicity

deception

double-dealing

evasiveness

equivocalness

fogging

fuzziness

fuzzy

indeterminacy

indistinctness

misunderstanding

obscuration

obscure

quibbling

quip

trickery

double-tongued

dishonest action

underhand action

bloomed

blur

blurring

confusion

double entendre

double-talk

equivocal

Translations

equívoco

evasió

tergiversació

quiproquo

équivoque

vacil·lació

ambigüitat

capgirament

Mehrdeutigkeit

Doppelzüngigkeit

zweideutige Formulierungen

Misverstandnis

αμφιλογία

παρεξήγηση

equívoc

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɪˌkwɪvəˈkeɪʃən/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: equivocacion

In summary

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).