equivocation

Meaning

Noun

• A logical fallacy resulting from the use of multiple meanings of a single expression.
• The use of expressions susceptible of a double signification, possibly intentionally and with the aim of misleading.

Origin

• c. 1380, from Old French equivocation, from Medieval Latin aequivocātiōnem, accusative singular of aequivocātiō, from aequivocō, from Late Latin aequivocus, from Latin aequus + vocō;
• a calque of Ancient Greek ὁμωνυμία.