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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



32 words match “AMBIGUOUS”

AMBIGUOUS a.
; 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.
AMBIGUOUSLY adv.
In an ambiguous manner; with doubtful meaning.
AMBIGUOUSNESS n.
Ambiguity.
AMBIGUITY n.
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. No shadow of ambiguity can rest upon the course to be pursued. I. Taylor. The words are of single signification, w…
AMBILOQUY n.
Doubtful or ambiguous language. [Obs.] Bailey.
AMPHIBOLIC a.
Of or pertaining to amphiboly; ambiguous; equivocal.
AMPHIBOLOGICAL a.
Of doubtful meaning; ambiguous. "Amphibological expressions." Jer. Taylor. -- Am*phib`o*log"ic*al*ly, adv.
AMPHIBOLOUS a.
Ambiguous; doubtful. [Obs.] Never was there such an amphibolous quarrel -- both parties declaring themselves for the king. Howell.
AMPHIBOLY n.
Ambiguous discourse; amphibology. If it oracle contrary to our interest or humor, we will create an amphiboly, a double meaning where there is none. Whitlock.
CONUNDRUM n.
hings quite unlike; a puzzling question, of which the answer is or involves a pun. Or pun ambiguous, or conundrum quaint. J. Philips.
DELPHIC a.
Ambiguous; mysterious. "If he is silent or delphic." New York Times.
DILOGICAL a.
Ambiguous; of double meaning. [Obs.] T. Adams.
DILOGY n.
An ambiguous speech; a figure in which a word is used an equivocal sense. [R.]
DIRECT a.
Immediate; express; plain; unambiguous. He howhere, that I know, says it in direct words. Locke. A direct and avowed interference with elections. Hallam.
EQUIVOCAL n.
A word or expression capable of different meanings; an ambiguous term; an equivoque. In languages of great ductility, equivocals like that just referred to are rarely found. Fitzed. Hall.
EQUIVOCATE v. 2 definitions
s one's opinions in terms which admit of different senses, with intent to deceive; to use ambiguous expressions with a view to mislead; as, to equivocate is the work of duplicity. All that Garnet had to say for him was that he supposed he meant to equivocate. Bp. Stillingfleet.
EQUIVOQUE; EQUIVOKE n.
An ambiguous term; a word susceptible of different significations. Coleridge.
EXPLICIT a.
n; distinctly stated; plain in language; open to the understanding; clear; not obscure or ambiguous; express; unequivocal; as, an explicit declaration. The language of the charter was too explicit to admit of a doubt. Bancroft.
EXPRESS a.
rectly and distinctly stated; declared in terms; not implied or left to inference; made unambiguous by intention and care; clear; not dubious; as, express consent; an express statement. I have express commandment. Shak.
FORKED a.
Having a double meaning; ambiguous; equivocal. Cross forked (Her.), a cross, the ends of whose arms are divided into two sharp points; -- called also cross double fitché. A cross forked of three points is a cross, each of whose arms terminates in three sharp points. -- Forked counsel, advice pointing more than one way…
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