mindmap root((歧义)) ambiguity usually refers to the use of a word or phrase in such a way that it may be taken in either of two senses: the ~ in the directive's wording caused much confusion. equivocation suggests that the ambiguity is intentional and the intent is to mislead: a report on the nuclear accident filled with ~s. tergiversation stresses the shifting of senses during the course of one's argument and usually suggests evasion or looseness of thought and intentional subterfuge: a thesis that relies on several ~s of the word "society". double entendre refers to a word or expression allowing two interpretations, one of them being a cover for a subtle, indelicate, or risque implication: the ~s rife in any bedroom farce.