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# equivocation

noun (an equivocation, equivocations; also uncountable)

«equivocation» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Using unclear words or answers on purpose so you do not have to give a straight answer or tell the full truth. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/equivocation/#m1)
2. (logic) A mistake in an argument where one word is used with two different meanings. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/equivocation/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories and politics, equivocation shows a character dodging the question. In thinking and ethics lessons, it is a trick to spot: «a feather is light; what is light cannot be dark; so a feather cannot be dark» uses «light» in two senses. Phrases: «without equivocation», «answer without equivocation».

### Examples

- The minister's answer was pure equivocation. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/equivocation/#x1)
- «Did you eat the cake?» «Well, cakes get eaten...» That is equivocation. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/equivocation/#x2)
- Please answer without equivocation: yes or no? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/equivocation/#x3)
- The argument fails because of equivocation on the word «bank». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/equivocation/#x4)
- His equivocation made us think he was hiding something. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/equivocation/#x5)
- Spot the equivocation in the riddle. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/equivocation/#x6)

### Note

Formal word. Verb: equivocate. Adjective: equivocal (unclear, open to two meanings). Opposite: «unequivocal» (completely clear). Pronounced «ee-kwiv-o-KAY-shun».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «equivocation» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/equivocation/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«equivocation» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/equivocation.html) on Mova free.