ambage

noun

am·​bage ˈam-bij 

plural ambages am-ˈbā-(ˌ)jēz  ˈam-bi-jəz 

1

archaic : ambiguity, circumlocution

—usually used in plural

2

ambages plural, archaic : indirect ways or proceedings

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ambages "intentional ambiguity," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French (usually in plural ambages) "circumlocution, avoidance," borrowed from Latin ambāgēs (plural; rare in the singular outside of the ablative ambāge) "roundabout path, circuitous movement, circumlocution," from amb- "around, about" + -āg-, noun derivative (with anomalous vowel lengthening) of agere "to drive (cattle), be in motion, do, perform" — more at ambient entry 1, agent

First Known Use

1532, in the meaning defined at sense 1