ambiguity

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Etymology

From Middle English ambiguite, from Old French ambiguite (French ambiguïté), from Latin ambiguitas, equivalent to ambiguous + -ity.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /æm.bɪˈɡjuː.ɪ.ti/
• (weak vowel) IPA: /ˌæm.bəˈɡjuː.ə.ti/

Noun

ambiguity

1. (countable) words or statements that are open to more than one interpretation, explanation or meaning, especially if that meaning cannot be determined from its context.

   His speech was made with such great ambiguity that neither supporter nor opponent could be certain of his true position.

2. (uncountable) The state of being ambiguous.

Synonyms

• (state of being ambiguous) ambiguousness, imprecision, polysemy
• weasel word

Antonyms

• unambiguity

Related terms

• ambiguous

Translations

• French: ambiguïté
• German: Ambiguität, Mehrdeutigkeit, Doppeldeutigkeit, Zweideutigkeit, Vieldeutigkeit, Doppelsinnigkeit, Uneindeutigkeit, Doppelbödigkeit, Doppelsinn, Polysemie, Ambivalenz
• Italian: ambiguità, dubbio
• Portuguese: ambiguidade
• Russian: двусмы́сленность
• Spanish: ambigüedad

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