Amphibolous

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Amphibolous \Am*phib"o*lous\, a. [L. amphibolus, Gr. ? thrown
     about, doubtful. See {Amphibole}.]
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     1. Ambiguous; doubtful. [Obs.]
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              Never was there such an amphibolous quarrel -- both
              parties declaring themselves for the king. --Howell.
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     2. (Logic) Capable of two meanings.
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              An amphibolous sentence is one that is capable of
              two meanings, not from the double sense of any of
              the words, but from its admitting of a double
              construction; e. g., "The duke yet lives that Henry
              shall depose."                        --Whately.
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