Ambiguous describes something doubtful, uncertain, or capable of more than one interpretation. The word comes from the Latin 'ambigere', meaning 'to be undecided'. It is contrasted with terms like 'obscure', 'vague', 'equivocal', and 'cryptic'.
Ambiguo describe algo incierto, dudoso o capaz de más de una interpretación. La palabra proviene del latín 'ambigere', que significa 'estar indeciso'. Se contrapone a términos como 'obscure' (oscuro), 'vague' (vago), 'equivocal' (equivoco) y 'cryptic' (críptico).
| Word | ambiguous |
|---|---|
| Date | April 24, 2017 |
| Type | adjective |
| Syllables | am-BIG-yuh-wus |
| Etymology | Ambiguous, obscure, vague, equivocal, and cryptic are used to describe writing or speech that is not clearly understandable. Ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation ("an ambiguous suggestion") and derives from the Latin verb ambigere, meaning "to be undecided." Obscure suggests a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge ("obscure poems"). Vague, on the other hand, describes a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration ("a vague sense of obligation"). Equivocal is the best choice for language that creates a wrong or false impression, allowing for uncertainty or promoting mistaken interpretations ("the politician gave an equivocal answer"), and when there is a deliberate attempt to confuse, cryptic can be used ("cryptic clues about the location of the buried treasure"). |
| Examples | "In the app, numbers and symbols are included by default, and ambiguous characters like the digit 0 and capital O are suppressed." — Neil J. Rubenking, PCMag.com, 24 Feb. 2017 "The setting for this story is ambiguous—a girl and her mother leave one country for another to escape an unspecified conflict. The only clue given to the location is the vast ocean separating the two countries, which the refugees must travel by boat." — Anna Fitzpatrick, The Globe and Mail (Canada), 4 Mar. 2017 |
| Definition | 1 a : doubtful or uncertain especially from obscurity or indistinctness b : incapable of being explained, interpreted, or accounted for : inexplicable 2 : capable of being understood in two or more possible senses or ways |
Tags: wordoftheday::adjective
Learn with these flashcards. Click next, previous, or up to navigate to more flashcards for this subject.
Next card: Mailer factoids coffee word back appears interesting fact
Previous card: Hummock hammock word english small related refer willow
Up to card list: Word of the Day