ambages

American  

[am-bey-jeez] / æmˈbeɪ dʒiz /

noun

Archaic.

1. winding, roundabout paths or ways.

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Etymology

Origin of ambages

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin ambāgēs (plural) “circuits,” equivalent to amb(i)- ambi- + -āg- (combining form of agere “to move”) + -ēs plural ending; cf. indagate

Example Sentences

Tush, tush, my lord! let go these ambages,     And in plain terms acquaint her with your love.

From The Spanish Tragedy by Kyd, Thomas

The doctor still answered per ambages, ut mos oraculis.

From It Is Never Too Late to Mend by Reade, Charles

The American Minister in such matters was accustomed to fewer ambages than were common in the circles among which Mr. Glascock had lived.

From He Knew He Was Right by Trollope, Anthony

To such ambages who doth their minde incline, They count all other as priuate of doctrine, And that the faultes which be in them alone, And be common in other men eche one.

From The Ship of Fools, Volume 1 by Barclay, Alexander

Give me your hand, and answer me without ambages, or ambiguities.

From Dryden's Works Vol. 3 (of 18) Sir Martin Mar-All; The Tempest; An Evening's Love; Tyrannic Love by Dryden, John