Equivocation

• Date: 1590

Definitions

• 1 : to use equivocal language especially with intent to deceive
• 2 : to avoid committing oneself in what one says

Description

Equivocation is classified as both a formal and informal fallacy. It is the misleading use of a term with more than one meaning or sense (by glossing over which meaning is intended at a particular time).

It is often confused with amphiboly; however, equivocation is ambiguity arising from the misleading use of a word and amphiboly is ambiguity arising from misleading use of punctuation or syntax.

See also

• Evasion