[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/equivocation.html)

[home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/) / [The school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/) / equivocation

[← E](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/E/)

# equivocation

«equivocation» in Mova's school dictionary: **Using unclear words or answers on purpose so you do not…** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 1 sentence of Mova's corpora that use it.

### part of speech

noun (an equivocation, equivocations; also uncountable)

### meaning for a pupil

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://md.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://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/equivocation/#m2)

### sense 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://md.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://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/equivocation/#x2)
- Please answer without equivocation: yes or no? [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/equivocation/#x3)
- The argument fails because of equivocation on the word «bank». [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/equivocation/#x4)
- His equivocation made us think he was hiding something. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/equivocation/#x5)
- Spot the equivocation in the riddle. [tree →](https://md.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».

### In the corpora

- ["I'll think about it" is not a promise; stretching what words mean to suit yourself is called equivocation.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/world/168-the-whole-class-punished-and-you-didnt-say-no/24/)

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «equivocation» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/equivocation/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.