For another example, consider the following argument:
Major premise: Every square is four-sided.
Minor premise: Your jaw is square.
Conclusion: Your jaw is four-sided.
The reason the conclusion is invalid is that it distributes an inaccurate meaning of “square” from the two premises to the conclusion. In geometry, a square is a four-sided polygon with equal sides. In popular usage, a “square” jaw means something closer to “angular.” It is crucial in the reasoning process that words be used precisely in the same sense when reasoning from one premise to another to a conclusion. Even a slight equivocation of a term can result in an invalid conclusion and the muddying of an argument.