ambages

[ am-bey-jeez ]

noun

, Archaic.

1. winding, roundabout paths or ways.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ambages¹

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; indagate

Example Sentences

Its origin is involved in obscurity: but may it not be a corruption of the Latin ambages, or the singular ablative ambage?

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

Après l'exposé, Arsay entra alors carrément dans le vif de la discussion et posa le problème sans ambages, dans son vrai jour.

From Project Gutenberg

Peter begins to beat about the bush (discurrere per ambages), and declares it to be heretical to quote an infidel like Merlin.

From Project Gutenberg

Longa est injuria, longæ ambages; but the story rests on the evidence of independent witnesses.

From Project Gutenberg