bifariousadj.
/bʌɪˈfɛːrɪəs/ 1. Two-fold, double, ambiguous. archaic or Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > equivocal quality, ambiguity > [adjective]
double?c1225
uncertainc1384
equivoquea1450
amphibille?1450
ambiguousc1487
indifferent?1531
forked1551
amphibological1587
equivocal1601
double-meaning1605
left-handed1610
dilogical1616
two-edgeda1625
biviousa1644
equivocating1645
amphibolous1647
yea-and-nay1648
amphibolical1652
bifarious1656
double-handed1661
squibbling1674
ambigual1683
equivocous1701
ambiguea1734
double-edged1791
multivocala1834
grey1835
amphibolic1873
ambivalent1923
1656 T. Blount Glossographia Bifarious, that which may be spoken two ways.
1707 E. Ward Hudibras Redivivus II. vii. 3 Some strange, mysterious Verity In old bifarious Prophesy.
1770 Month. Rev. 18 To exercise her bifarious talents.
2. Botany. Ranged in two rows.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > (defined by) distribution, arrangement, or position > [adjective] > having or consisting of specific number of layers or rows
uniserial1828
uniseriate1831
bifarious1846
trifarious1846
pentastichous1850
tristichous1857
multiseriate1859
tetrastichous1866
trilamellar1900
1846 J. D. Dana U.S. Exploring Exped.: Zoophytes 645 Polyps seriate, or bifarious.
1876 J. Harley Royle's Man. Materia Med. (ed. 6) 380 Turmeric.—Leaves bifarious.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online March 2019).
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adj.1656