Equivocation

Definition

Let:

• $W$ : A word or phrase
• $M_1,M_2$ : Different meanings of $W$
• $\text{Arg}$ : An argument using $W$

Then an argument commits the Equivocation fallacy if and only if:

$$\text{Arg uses }W\text{ with meaning }{M}_1\text{ in one place and }{M}_2\text{ in another}$$

Interpretation

The same word is used with different meanings within the same argument, creating a misleading conclusion.