Part 369

<hw>Am`bi*gu"i*ty</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt>; <plu>pl. <plw>Ambiguities</plw> <tt>(#)</tt></plu>. <ety>[L. <ets>ambiguitas</ets>, fr. <ets>ambiguus</ets>: cf. F. <ets>ambiguit\'82</ets>.]</ety> <def>The quality or state of being ambiguous; doubtfulness or uncertainty, particularly as to the signification of language, arising from its admitting of more than one meaning; an equivocal word or expression.</def>

<blockquote>No shadow of <b>ambiguity</b> can rest upon the course to be pursued. <i>I. Taylor.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>The words are of single signification, without any <b>ambiguity</b>. <i>South.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Ambiguous</h1> <Xpage=46>

<hw>Am*big"u*ous</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>ambiguus</ets>, fr. <ets>ambigere</ets> to wander about, waver; <ets>amb-</ets> + <ets>agere</ets> to drive.]</ety> <def>Doubtful or uncertain, particularly in respect to signification; capable of being understood in either of two or more possible senses; equivocal; <as>as, an <ex>ambiguous</ex> course; an <ex>ambiguous</ex> expression.</as></def>

<blockquote>What have been thy answers? What but dark, <b>Ambiguous</b>, and with double sense deluding? <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<syn>Syn. -- Doubtful; dubious; uncertain; unsettled; indistinct; indeterminate; indefinite. See <er>Equivocal</er>.</syn>

<h1>Ambiguously</h1> <Xpage=46>

<hw>Am*big"u*ous*ly</hw>, <tt>adv.</tt> <def>In an ambiguous manner; with doubtful meaning.</def>

<h1>Ambiguousness</h1> <Xpage=46>

<hw>Am*big"u*ous*ness</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>Ambiguity.</def>

<h1>Ambilevous</h1> <Xpage=46>

<hw>Am`bi*le"vous</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>ambo</ets> both + <ets>laevus</ets> left.]</ety> <def>Left-handed on both sides; clumsy; -- opposed to <i>ambidexter</i>.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark>

<i>Sir T. Browne.</i>

<h1>Ambiloquy</h1> <Xpage=46>

<hw>Am*bil"o*quy</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>Doubtful or ambiguous language.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Bailey.</i>

<h1>Ambiparous</h1> <Xpage=46>

<hw>Am*bip"a*rous</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>ambo</ets> both + <ets>parere</ets> to bring forth.]</ety> <fld>(Bot.)</fld> <def>Characterized by containing the rudiments of both flowers and leaves; -- applied to a bud.</def>

<h1>Ambit</h1> <Xpage=46>

<hw>Am"bit</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>ambitus</ets> circuit, fr. <ets>ambire</ets> to go around. See <er>Ambient</er>.]</ety> <def>Circuit or compass.</def>

<blockquote>His great parts did not live within a small <b>ambit</b>. <i>Milward.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Ambition</h1> <Xpage=46>

<hw>Am*bi"tion</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[F. <ets>ambition</ets>, L. <ets>ambitio</ets> a going around, especially of candidates for office is Rome, to solicit votes (hence, desire for office or honor<?/ fr. <ets>ambire</ets> to go around. See <er>Ambient</er>, <er>Issue</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>The act of going about to solicit or obtain an office, or any other object of desire; canvassing.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote> used no <b>ambition</b> to commend my deeds. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>An eager, and sometimes an inordinate, desire for preferment, honor, superiority, power, or the attainment of something.</def>

<blockquote>Cromwell, I charge thee, fling a way <b>ambition</b>: By that sin fell the angels. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>The pitiful <b>ambition</b> of possessing five or six thousand more acres. <i>Burke.</i></blockquote>