| 释义 |
ambidextrous, -erous, a.|ˌæmbɪˈdɛkstrəs|
[f. med.L. ambidexter + -ous.]
= ambidexter.
1. Able to use both hands alike.
1646Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 188 Not considering ambi⁓dextrous and left handed men. 1751Chambers Cycl. s.v., Women, according to the observation of Hippocrates, are never ambidextrous. 1878Bryant Pract. Surg. I. 340 Every ophthalmic surgeon should..become ambidextrous.
2. fig. More than usually dextrous, or clever.
1682Sir T. Browne Chr. Mor. (1756) 117 Many, who are sinistrous unto good actions, are ambi-dexterous unto bad. 1844Blackw. Mag. LVI. 54 O many-sided, ambidextrous Goethe.
3. Acting in two opposite directions; and in a bad sense: Double-dealing; humouring both parties.
1654Gataker Disc. Apol. 77 An ambidextrous Trick..of divers persons in the same familie adhering some to one partie and some to another. a1768Sterne Pol. Romance (1774) 316 A little, dirty, pimping, pettifogging, ambidextrous fellow. a1847Chalmers Posth. Wks. I. 22 Rebuking Peter for his ambidextrous policy between Jews and Gentiles. 1858J. 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. |