equivocation etymology

Etymology:

• Late 16th century: from medieval Latin aequivocatio(n-), from Latin aequus ‘equal’ + vocare ‘to call’, from vox ‘voice’.

Meaning and Origin:

Equivocation is the use of ambiguous language or a word with multiple meanings to confuse or deceive someone. It originates from the Latin word "aequivocus," meaning "of equal voice" or "having the same sound."

In logic, equivocation is a fallacy that occurs when a word or phrase is used with different meanings in the same argument, leading to confusion and potentially unsound conclusions. It can involve:

• Using a word with multiple definitions (e.g., "justice" can refer to fairness or the legal system)
• Using a term that changes meaning depending on the context (e.g., "equality" can refer to different types of equality)
• Switching between the singular and plural forms of a word (e.g., "people are good" vs. "people are bad")
• Using a vague or ambiguous term that allows for multiple interpretations (e.g., "democracy")

Equivocation is often used intentionally to mislead or confuse, particularly in political or philosophical debates. However, it can also occur unintentionally when people misunderstand the meaning of a word or use it in an imprecise way.

Examples of Equivocation:

• "The company promised increased profits, but profits can refer to either net income or gross revenue."
• "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others (George Orwell's Animal Farm)."
• "Smoking is hazardous to your health, but health can refer to both physical and mental well-being."

equivocation relate terms

• equal

  Etymology Old French egal Latin aequālis Proto Indo European h₁éḱwos Meaning

• equivocate

  Etymology Old French equivocquer equivoquier from Latin aequivocus aequivocare mea

• equivocation

• tergiversation

  Etymology Late Latin tergiversātiō turning of the back from Latin terg um back

• prevarication

  Etymology Latin praevaricari to stray to step aside to shuffle Proto Indo Europea

• Newgate

  Etymology New Old English nīwe meaning new or recent Gate Old English geat

• deception

  Etymology Old French decepcion 13th century Latin deceptio act of deceiving decept

• quibble

  Etymology The word quibble derives from Middle English quibulen early 13th century

• quiddity

  Etymology Ultimate origin Latin quidditas thatness essence being or nature of thi

• deceit

  Etymology The word deceit originates from the Old French word deceit which in turn c

• circumlocution

  Etymology Latin circumlocutio circum around locutus past participle of loq

• hedge

  Etymology The word hedge has an Old English origin deriving from the word hecg whic