ambivalence
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
From Latin ambi- (“both”) and valentia (“strength”), from the verb valere (“to be strong”) (see valiant). Coined 1910 by Swiss psychologist Eugen Bleule for "simultaneous conflicting feelings", by 1929 had taken on a broader literary and general sense.
[edit] Noun
ambivalence (countable and uncountable; plural ambivalences)
- The coexistence of opposing attitudes or feelings (such as love and hate) towards a person, object or idea.
- A state of uncertainty or indecisiveness.
[edit] Usage notes
This word is often used as to express a lack of concern about the outcome of a choice to be made [1]. In this case, a more appropriate word to use is indifference. The confusion is probably caused by the similarity of sounds between the two words and the passive sound of the word.
[edit] Related terms
[edit] Translations
coexistence of opposing attitudes
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state of uncertainty
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