How do you pronounce equivocation?

The recorded pronunciation is /ɪˌkwɪvəˈkeɪʃən/.

Where does equivocation come from?

It is traced to Middle English.

equivocation

/ɪˌkwɪvəˈkeɪʃən/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.29 in modern English

Syllables: e-quiv-o-ca-tion
IPA: /ɪˌkwɪvəˈkeɪʃən/

Scrabble Score

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Syllables

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A logical fallacy resulting from the use of multiple meanings of a single expression.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

The use of expressions susceptible of a double signification, possibly intentionally and with the aim of misleading.

Countable; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"Federal courts have mostly ruled against the executive branch in such cases. The equivocation that has characterized the [Trump] administration’s legal responses to date is turning into objection and refusal."

Etymology

c. 1380, from Middle English equivocacion, from Old French equivocation, from Medieval Latin aequivocātiō, from aequivocō, from Late Latin aequivocus (“ambiguous, equivocal”), from Latin aequus (“equal”) + vocō (“call”); a calque of Ancient Greek ὁμωνυμία (homōnumía).

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: equivocacion, equivocation, aequivocātiō, aequivocus, aequus

Usage

Inflected Forms

equivocations (plural) æquivocation (alternative, obsolete)

Frequently Paired Words

amphiboly evasion evasiveness prevarication equivoque

Synonyms

tergiversation prevarication evasiveness evasion

Rhymes With

information education situation population station association administration operation organization nation location application