ambiguity

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The state of being ambiguous; the state of leaving room for more than one interpretation.

   His speech was made with such great ambiguity that neither supporter nor opponent could be certain of his true position.

2. 2
   noun

   An instance of this state: words or statements that are open to more than one interpretation, explanation or meaning, especially if that meaning cannot be determined from the context.

   If two persons bore the same name, and confusion was likely to be caused, ambiguity was avoided by adding the name of the father[…]

3. 3
   noun

   unclearness by virtue of having more than one meaning

4. 4
   noun

   an expression whose meaning cannot be determined from its context

Etymology

From Middle English ambiguite, from Old French ambiguite (French ambiguïté), from Latin ambiguitas, equivalent to ambiguous + -ity.