equivocation

Equivocation — is classified as both a formal and informal fallacy. It is the misleading use of a term with more than one meaning (by glossing over which meaning is intended at a particular time).It is often confused with amphiboly; however, equivocation is… …   Wikipedia

equivocation — late 14c., the fallacy of using a word in different senses at different stages of the reasoning (a loan translation of Gk. homonymia, lit. having the same name ), from O.Fr. equivocation, from L.L. aequivocationem (nom. aequivocatio), from… …   Etymology dictionary

Equivocation — E*quiv o*ca tion, n. The use of expressions susceptible of a double signification, with a purpose to mislead. [1913 Webster] There being no room for equivocations, there is no need of distinctions. Locke. Syn: Prevarication; ambiguity; shuffling; …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

equivocation — index ambiguity, color (deceptive appearance), deceit, deception, duplicity, evasion, falsehood, hesitation …   Law dictionary

equivocation — *ambiguity, tergiversation, double entendre Analogous words: prevarication, lying or lie, paltering, fibbing or fib (see corresponding verbs at LIE): duplicity, dissimulation, *deceit …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

equivocation — [n] avoidance of an issue ambiguity, amphibology, casuistry, coloring, con, cop out, cover, cover up, deceit, deception, deceptiveness, delusion, dissimulation, distortion, double entendre, double meaning, double talk, doubtfulness, duplicity,… …   New thesaurus

équivocation — (é ki vo ka sion) s. f. Action d équivoquer. HISTORIQUE    XIVe s. •   Par equivocation [homonyme] l en appelle clef un membre qui est au col d une beste, et appelle l en clef ce à quoy l en ferme les huis, ORESME Thèse de MEUNIER.. ÉTYMOLOGIE… …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

equivocation — equivocate ► VERB ▪ use ambiguous or evasive language. DERIVATIVES equivocation noun …   English terms dictionary

equivocation — noun see equivocate …   New Collegiate Dictionary

equivocation — /i kwiv euh kay sheuhn/, n. 1. the use of equivocal or ambiguous expressions, esp. in order to mislead or hedge; prevarication. 2. an equivocal, ambiguous expression; equivoque: The speech was marked by elaborate equivocations. 3. Logic. a… …   Universalium

equivocation — noun a) A logical fallacy resulting from the use of multiple meanings of a single expression. b) The use of expressions susceptible of a double signification, possibly intentionally and with the aim of misleading. See Also: amphiboly, evasion …   Wiktionary