Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
amphiboly
Noun
/æmˈfɪb.ə.li/
Definition
Amphiboly is a type of ambiguity arising from a grammatical structure, where a sentence can be interpreted in multiple ways due to its ambiguous arrangement.
Examples
- The amphiboly in his statement led to a different interpretation by each listener.
- When she said she saw the man with the telescope, the amphiboly left it unclear who had the telescope.
Meaning
The word describes a situation in language where a phrase or sentence can have more than one meaning, often leading to confusion or misunderstanding.
Synonyms
- Ambiguity
- Equivocation
- Double meaning
