ambiguous - Wiktionary, the free dictionary (original) (raw)

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

Proto-Indo-European *-wós

English ambiguous

From Latin ambiguus (“moving from side to side, of doubtful nature”), from ambigere (“to go about, wander, doubt”), from ambi- (“around, about, on both sides”) + agere (“to drive, move”).

ambiguous (comparative more ambiguous, superlative most ambiguous)

  1. Open to multiple interpretations.
    Synonyms: equivocal, unclear; see also Thesaurus:vague
    Antonyms: unambiguous, clear
    The politician was criticized for his ambiguous statements and lack of precision.
  2. (obsolete, of a person) Hesitant; uncertain; not taking sides.
    • 1662, Thomas Salusbury, Mathematical collections and translations, in two tomes - Salusbury:
      And forasmuch as in this same question I am ambiguous, and Simplicius is resolute....

open to multiple interpretations

Translations to be checked