amphibology

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: am=phi=bol=o=gy

CIDE DICTIONARY

amphibology, n. [L. amphibologia, for amphibolia, fr. Gr. 'amfiboli`a, with the ending -logia as if fr. Gr. 'amfi`bolos ambiguous + lo`gos speech: cf. F. amphibologie. See Amphiboly.].

 A phrase, discourse, or proposition, susceptible of two interpretations; and hence, of uncertain meaning. It differs from equivocation, which arises from the twofold sense of a single term.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

amphibology, n. (pl. -ies)
1 a quibble.
2 an ambiguous wording.

Etymology

ME f. OF amphibologie f. LL amphibologia for L f. Gk amphibolia ambiguity

ROGET THESAURUS

amphibology

Equivocalness

N equivocalness, double meaning, ambiguity, double entente, double entendre, pun, paragram, calembour, quibble, equivoque, anagram, conundrum, play on words, word play, homonym, homonymy, amphiboly, amphibology, ambilogy, ambiloquy, Sphinx, Delphic oracle, equivocation, white lie, mental reservation, paltering, equivocal, ambiguous, amphibolous, homonymous, double-tongued, enigmatical, indeterminate, on the one hand, on the other hand.