Ambiguity: A statement with two or more meanings that may seem to exclude one another in the context. Grammatical ambiguity (amphibologia) occurs where a word has two or more possible word classes. For example, in 'bill posters will be prosecuted,' the words 'bill posters' could be either adjective and common noun or a proper name. Lexical ambiguity arises where one word has multiple senses (polysemous terms) or when two different words have the same sound (homonyms). Thus 'present' is polysemous because it means both 'current time' and 'gift,' and 'which' and 'witch' are homonyms.

 

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Ambiguity: A statement with two or more meanings that may seem to exclude one another in the context. Grammatical ambiguity (amphibologia) occurs where a word has two or more possible word classes. For . . . View Full Definition

Volitive: A verb form that expresses a wish, command, or the speaker's will. In many languages, an identical verb form is used for both the intentive (which expresses intention) and the volitive.In En . . . View Full Definition

Double Entendre: (French, 'double meaning') The deliberate use of ambiguity in a phrase or image--especially involving sexual or humorous meanings.

Mistake: An error or misunderstanding. A contract is voidable if there is a mistake that is mutual, material, unintentional and free from negligence, such as both parties honestly contracting for a d . . . View Full Definition