ambidexter

1 of 2

noun

am·bi·dex·ter

¦ambə¦dekstə(r),

¦aam-

plural -s

: one that takes bribes or fees from both sides

archaic : one that practices duplicity

obsolete : one that uses both hands with equal facility

ambidexter

2 of 2

adjective

archaic

: ambidextrous

Word History

Etymology

Noun

in sense 1, from Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from ambidexter, adjective, from Late Latin, skillful with both hands; in sense 2, from Late Latin, from ambidexter, adjective

Adjective

Medieval Latin & Late Latin; Medieval Latin, double-dealing, from Late Latin, skillful with both hands (translation of Greek amphoterodexios), from ambi- + dexter on the right, skillful

First Known Use

Noun

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1613, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of ambidexter was in 1598

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