amphibolous

English

Etymology

From Latin amphibolus, Ancient Greek ἀμφίβολος (amphíbolos, “thrown about, doubtful”). See amphibole.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /æmˈfɪbələs/

Adjective

amphibolous (comparative more amphibolous, superlative most amphibolous)

1. (obsolete outside philosophy, linguistics) Ambiguous; doubtful or unclear.
   • 1640, I. H. [i.e., James Howell], ΔΕΝΔΡΟΛΟΓΊΑ [DENDROLOGIA]. Dodona’s Grove, or, The Vocall Forrest, London: […] T[homas] B[adger] for H. Mosley [i.e., Humphrey Moseley] […], →OCLC:

     Never was there such an amphibolous quarrel — both parties declaring themselves for the king.

References

• “amphibolous”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.

Anagrams

• ambophilous