amphibology

[ am-fuh-bol-uh-jee ]

noun

, plural am·phi·bol·o·gies.

1. amphiboly.

amphibology

/ æmˌfɪbəˈlɒdʒɪkəl; æmˈfɪbəlɪ; ˌæmfɪˈbɒlədʒɪ; æmˈfɪbələs /

noun

1. ambiguity of expression, esp when due to a grammatical construction, as in save rags and waste paper

Derived Forms

• amphibological, adjective
• amˌphiboˈlogically, adverb
• ˌamphiˈbolic, adjective

Other Words From

• am·phib·o·log·i·cal [am-fib-, uh, -, loj, -i-k, uh, l], adjective
• am·phibo·logi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of amphibology¹

1325–75; Middle English amphibologie < Late Latin amphibologia. See amphiboly, -logy

Word History and Origins

Origin of amphibology¹

C14: from Late Latin amphibologia, ultimately from Greek amphibolos ambiguous; see amphibole , -logy

Example Sentences

It had been an excellent quaere to have posed the devil of Delphos, and must needs have forced him to some strange amphibology.

From Project Gutenberg

For many times, in their interpretation, right witty, learned, and ingenious men have been deceived through amphibologies, equivoques, and obscurity of words, no less than by the brevity of their sentences.

From Project Gutenberg

Abbreviated by subsequent usage to bête-'ni-pié, the appellation has amphibology;—for there are two words ni in the patois, one signifying "to have," and the other "naked."

From Project Gutenberg