equivocation Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a statement that is not literally false but that cleverly avoids an unpleasant truth
    evasion.
  2. noun intentionally vague or ambiguous
    prevarication; evasiveness.
  3. noun falsification by means of vague or ambiguous language
    tergiversation.

WordNet

E*quiv`o*ca"tion noun
Definitions
  1. The use of expressions susceptible of a double signification, with a purpose to mislead.
    There being no room for equivocations, there is no need of distinctions. Locke.
    Syn. -- Prevarication; ambiguity; shuffling; evasion; guibbling. See Equivocal, a., and Prevaricate, v. i.

Webster 1913