ambidextrous, -erous, a.
(ˌæmbɪˈdɛkstrəs)
[f. med.L. ambidexter + -ous.]
= ambidexter.
1. Able to use both hands alike.
| 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 188 Not considering ambi⁓dextrous and left handed men. 1751 Chambers Cycl. s.v., Women, according to the observation of Hippocrates, are never ambidextrous. 1878 Bryant Pract. Surg. I. 340 Every ophthalmic surgeon should..become ambidextrous. |
2. fig. More than usually dextrous, or clever.
| 1682 Sir T. Browne Chr. Mor. (1756) 117 Many, who are sinistrous unto good actions, are ambi-dexterous unto bad. 1844 Blackw. Mag. LVI. 54 O many-sided, ambidextrous Goethe. |
3. Acting in two opposite directions; and in a bad sense: Double-dealing; humouring both parties.
| 1654 Gataker Disc. Apol. 77 An ambidextrous Trick..of divers persons in the same familie adhering some to one partie and some to another. a 1768 Sterne Pol. Romance (1774) 316 A little, dirty, pimping, pettifogging, ambidextrous fellow. a 1847 Chalmers Posth. Wks. I. 22 Rebuking Peter for his ambidextrous policy between Jews and Gentiles. 1858 J. Martineau Stud. Chr. 279 It would be hypercritical to complain of the antithesis of understanding and feeling, sense and soul. But to an exact thinker..an ambidextrous intellect is no intellect at all. |