Ambi

Part of speech: adjective, prefix

Definitions

1. A prefix denoting duality or both sides of something
2. indicating characteristics that involve two distinct aspects or options
3. used to signify inclusiveness of two opposing factors or directions

Etymology: Ambi is a clipping of "ambidextrous", so it is not a word that grew up on its own. The full word joins the Latin "ambi-", meaning "both" or "on both sides", with "dexter", "right-handed" or "on the right". Its sense of being skilled with both hands is why the whole word is built around the idea of a right hand and a left hand working equally well. The shortened form "ambi" took on the broader sense of involving both sides, as in a pun or an ambivalent feeling. It is a prefix as well as an adjective, so it attaches to other words in the same way, as in "ambidextrous", "ambisinister" and "ambiguous" in its everyday use.

Synonyms: both, dual, two-sided, ambidextrous, bilateral

Antonyms: single, one-sided, unilateral, monocular, unambiguous