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Definitions from the Web

Ambiguity

Description:

Ambiguity refers to the quality of being open to interpretation or having multiple meanings. It occurs when a word, phrase, sentence, or situation can be understood in various ways, leading to confusion or uncertainty.

Usage:

1. Noun - General Sense:

In its general sense, ambiguity refers to the vagueness or lack of clarity in a piece of communication or a situation. It can result from the use of ambiguous words, phrases, or expressions.

Example:

The ambiguous statement made by the politician left the audience unsure of his true intentions.

2. Noun - Linguistics:

In linguistics, ambiguity refers to a phenomenon when a word or a phrase has more than one possible interpretation, often leading to multiple meanings.

Example:

The word "bank" has different meanings based on the context, such as a river bank or a financial institution.

3. Noun - Art and Literature:

Ambiguity is frequently used in art and literature to create depth and provoke thought. It allows for multiple interpretations, adding complexity and richness to a work.

Example:

The artist purposely introduced ambiguity in her abstract painting to evoke different emotions in viewers.

4. Noun - Philosophy:

In philosophy, ambiguity can refer to situations or concepts that possess an inherent double meaning or are open to multiple interpretations.

Example:

The philosopher debated the ambiguity of the human mind, questioning whether our thoughts can ever be fully understood.

5. Noun - Legal Context:

In a legal context, ambiguity arises when a law, contract, or legal document contains provisions that are unclear or susceptible to different interpretations.

Example:

Due to the ambiguity in the contract, the lawsuit was filed to determine the correct interpretation of the disputed clause.

6. Adjective - Ambiguous:

Ambiguous is the adjective form of ambiguity, used to describe something that is unclear, open to various interpretations, or having multiple meanings.

Example:

The suspect gave an ambiguous response during the questioning, leaving the detectives uncertain about his involvement.

Related Products:

Explore the following products related to ambiguity:

• Books on Ambiguity in Language
• Artworks Exploring Ambiguity
• Philosophy Books on the Nature of Ambiguity