Which type of fallacy involves multiple meanings in a sentence?

The fallacy that involves multiple meanings in a sentence is amphiboly. This type of fallacy arises when a statement is structured in such a way that it can be interpreted in more than one way due to its grammatical structure. For example, if a person says, "I saw the man with the telescope," it could mean that they used a telescope to see the man, or that the man they saw had a telescope. The ambiguity stems from the way the sentence is constructed rather than specific words having different meanings.

This is distinct from equivocation, which specifically pertains to a word or phrase having multiple meanings, leading to misleading conclusions. Vagueness refers to a lack of precision in language, making it unclear what is meant, while ambiguity can involve either grammatical structures or specific terms being unclear without pinpointing their origin. In summary, the hallmark of amphiboly is its reliance on the syntax of a sentence to create confusion or misunderstanding, thereby making it the most fitting choice in this context.