ambidextrous

ambidextrous
ambidextrous (adj.) 1640s, with -OUS (Cf. -ous), from ambidexter (adj.) "double-dealing" (1610s), from Fr. ambidextre or directly from L. ambidexter, lit. "right-handed on both sides," from ambi- "both" (see AMBI- (Cf. ambi-)) + dexter "right-handed" (see DEXTERITY (Cf. dexterity)). Its opposite, ambilevous "left-handed on both sides, clumsy" (1640s) is rare. Ambidexter as a noun, "one who takes bribes from both sides," is attested from 1530s and is the earliest form of the word in English; its sense of "one who uses both hands equally well" appears by 1590s.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Ambidextrous — Am bi*dex trous, a. 1. Having the faculty of using both hands with equal ease. Sir T. Browne. [1913 Webster] 2. Practicing or siding with both parties. [1913 Webster] All false, shuffling, and ambidextrous dealings. L Estrange. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • ambidextrous — Note the spelling trous, not terous …   Modern English usage

  • ambidextrous — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ able to use the right and left hands equally well. DERIVATIVES ambidexterity noun ambidextrously adverb ambidextrousness noun. ORIGIN from Latin ambi on both sides + dexter right handed …   English terms dictionary

  • ambidextrous — [am΄bə deks′trəs] adj. [< earlier ambidexter + OUS] 1. able to use both hands with equal ease 2. very skillful or versatile 3. deceitful; double dealing ambidexterity [am΄bədeks ter′ə tē] n. ambidextrously adv …   English World dictionary

  • ambidextrous — ambidextrously, adv. ambidextrousness, n. /am bi dek streuhs/, adj. 1. able to use both hands equally well: an ambidextrous surgeon. 2. unusually skillful; facile: an ambidextrous painter, familiar with all media. 3. double dealing; deceitful. 4 …   Universalium

  • ambidextrous — [16] Ambidextrous means literally ‘right handed on both sides’. It was formed in Latin from the prefix ambi ‘both’ and the adjective dexter ‘right handed’ (source of English dextrous). Ambi corresponds to the Latin adjective ambo ‘both’, which… …   The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins

  • ambidextrous — [[t]æ̱mbide̱kstrəs[/t]] ADJ: usu v link ADJ Someone who is ambidextrous can use both their right hand and their left hand equally skilfully …   English dictionary

  • ambidextrous — [16] Ambidextrous means literally ‘right handed on both sides’. It was formed in Latin from the prefix ambi ‘both’ and the adjective dexter ‘right handed’ (source of English dextrous). Ambi corresponds to the Latin adjective ambo ‘both’, which… …   Word origins

  • Ambidextrous organization — Organizational ambidexterity refers to an organization’s ability to be efficient in their management of today’s business and also adaptable for coping with tomorrow’s changing demands.[1] Contents 1 Overview 1.1 Origin and Development …   Wikipedia

  • Ambidextrous (novel) — infobox Book | name = Ambidextrous: The Secret Lives of Children author = Ryan Picano cover artist = Deni Ponty country = United States language = English genre = Autobiographic Novel publisher = Hayworth Press release date = 1985 media type =… …   Wikipedia

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