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Webster 1913 Edition


Ambiguous

Am-big′u-ous

,
Adj.
[L.
ambiguus
, fr.
ambigere
to wander about, waver;
amb-
+
agere
to drive.]
Doubtful or uncertain, particularly in respect to signification; capable of being understood in either of two or more possible senses; equivocal;
as, an
ambiguous
course; an
ambiguous
expression.
What have been thy answers? What but dark,
Ambiguous
, and with double sense deluding?
Milton.
Syn. – Doubtful; dubious; uncertain; unsettled; indistinct; indeterminate; indefinite. See
Equivocal
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Ambiguous

AMBIG'UOUS

,
Adj.
[L. ambiguus.]
Having two or more meanings; doubtful; being of uncertain signification; susceptible of different interpretations; hence, obscure. It is applied to words and expressions; not to a dubious state of mind, though it may be to a person using words of doubtful signification.
The ancient oracles were ambiguous, as were their answers.

Definition 2024


ambiguous

ambiguous

English

Adjective

ambiguous (comparative more ambiguous, superlative most ambiguous)

  1. Open to multiple interpretations.
    The politician was criticized for his ambiguous statements and lack of precision.
  2. Vague and unclear.
    He gave an ambiguous answer.
  3. (obsolete, of persons) Hesitant; uncertain; not taking sides.
    • 1662 Thomas Salusbury
      And forasmuch as in this same question I am ambiguous, and Simplicius is resolute....

Synonyms

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Related terms

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See also

External links

  • ambiguous in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • ambiguous in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

References