[1] Conflation is defined as 'fusing blending', but is often used colloquially as 'being equal to' - treating two similar but disparate concepts as the same.
Merriam Webster suggested this shift in usage happened relatively recently, entering their dictionary in 1973.
[3] However, if the distinctions between the two concepts may appear to be superficial, intentional conflation can be desirable for the sake of conciseness and recall.
English words with multiple (verb) meanings can be illustrated by instances in which a motion is merged with or a causation with manner,[4] e.g. the bride floated towards her future.
[citation needed] In linguistic, taxonomic conflation happens when a polysemic term is on two or more taxic levels.