ambigue Latin · revision 34168

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=81–43 BC, Cicero|origins=la ambigō}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''ambiguē''' (comparative ambiguius, superlative ambiguissimē)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|ambiguus|-ē|t1=doubtful, ambiguous]], the adverb of the adjective,^(Georges 1913)^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010) which comes from [[m|la|ambigō|t=to dispute; to be in doubt]].^(Bianchi & Lelli 2014)^(Köbler 2010) De Vaan lists both among the derivatives of [[m|la|agō|t=to drive, do]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler records it first in Cicero,^(Köbler 2010) who writes that many things are said ambiguously;^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010) the Rhetorica ad Herennium also has ''nec esse ambigue scriptum'', “and that it is not written ambiguously”.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Its first sense is of words with a double or doubtful meaning, used by Cicero, Horace and Livy.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913) Livy and Tacitus use it of fighting with an uncertain outcome, and Livy's ''haud ambigue'' means “unmistakably”.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) Tacitus also uses it of legions acting in an unreliable way.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010) Later Aurelius Victor writes of answering ambiguously, and Hilary of Poitiers of things said ambiguously in Hebrew.^(Georges 1913)^(TLL) Medieval writers in Britain use it of arguing ambiguously in logic.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of things said ambiguously.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy has ''nec ambiguē est victus'', of a clear defeat.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 98–115 AD – Tacitus uses it of fighting with an uncertain outcome.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 315–367/368 AD – Hilary of Poitiers uses it of the Hebrew text.^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # [[m|en|ambiguously|alt=Ambiguously]], with a doubtful meaning, [[m|en|equivocally]].^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+ # With a doubtful outcome, indecisively;^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) ''haud ambiguē'', unmistakably.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+ # In an unreliable or wavering way.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[ambiguus]]

+ * [[ambigō]]

+ * [[ambiguitās]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}