AMPHIBOLOUS Meaning and
Definition
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Amphibolous is an adjective that stems from the noun "amphiboly", which refers to a form of ambiguity or uncertainty in language. When describing something as amphibolous, it means that it possesses qualities or characteristics that are ambiguous, obscure, or open to multiple interpretations.
The term often arises in the field of linguistics, where it is used to describe phrases or sentences that can be interpreted in more than one way due to their structure, arrangement, or choice of words. Amphibolous language can be misleading or confusing to the reader or listener, as its intended meaning may not be immediately clear. The ambiguity can be intentional, such as in poetry or abstract literature, where multiple interpretations are encouraged, or unintentional, arising from poor syntax or sentence construction.
In broader contexts, amphibolous can also refer to actions, behaviors, or situations that are deceptive, puzzling, or mixed in nature. It can describe situations where uncertainty or confusion prevails, leaving room for various interpretations or misunderstandings. Therefore, someone or something that is described as amphibolous may possess attributes that make it difficult to categorize or define clearly.
Overall, the term amphibolous encompasses the idea of ambiguity, obscurity, or multiplicity of meanings, and it serves as a useful term to describe linguistic, conceptual, or behavioral phenomena that are open to different interpretations or misunderstandings.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for AMPHIBOLOUS
- zmphibolous
- smphibolous
- wmphibolous
- qmphibolous
- anphibolous
- akphibolous
- ajphibolous
- amohibolous
- amlhibolous
- am-hibolous
- am0hibolous
- ampgibolous
- ampbibolous
- ampnibolous
- ampjibolous
- ampuibolous
- ampyibolous
- amphubolous
- amphjbolous
Etymology of AMPHIBOLOUS
The word "amphibolous" is derived from the Greek word "amphibolos" (ἀμφίβολος), which means "ambiguous" or "doubtful". It is a combination of two Greek roots: "amphi" (ἀμφί), which carries the meaning of "both" or "around", and "ballein" (βάλλειν), which means "to throw" or "to put". The original sense of "amphibolous" referred to something that can be interpreted or thrown back and forth in two directions, allowing for ambiguity or confusion.
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