amphibolia, amphiboly

[Lat. amphibolia, from Gr. ἀμφιβολία ( amphibolia ) = (1) the state of being attacked on both sides; (2) ambiguity. From Greek ἀμφίβολος ( am phibolos ) = (1) put round as a garment; (2) attacked from both sides; (3) ambiguous: ἀμφιβάλλω ( amphiballo ) = to put round, to surround, to double; ἀμφί ( amphi ), and βάλλω ( ballo ) = to throw.] A. Chiefly in the form Amphibolia: Logic : What logicians have described as the fallacia amphiboliæ . It occurs when a sentence, though consisting of words each of which, taken singly, is unambiguous in its meaning, is yet itself susceptible of a double signification, on account of the order in which the words are arranged, or for some similar reason. The Latin language was particularly liable to afford examples of amphibology-a fact well known to those who gave forth the "prophetic" utterances of the ancient oracles, as in the famous answer returned to Pyrrhus when he asked counsel as to whether he would be succe ful if he invaded the Roman empire, "Aio te, Eacida, Romanos vincere po e ("I say that you, O son of Eacus, can conquer the Romans;" or "I say that the Romans can conquer you, O son of Eacus"). Similarly, the witch "prophecy" in English, "The Duke yet lives that Henry shall depose," may mean "The Duke yet lives who shall depose Henry," or, "whom Henry shall depose;" but it may be said that the word that is ambiguous, and that consequently the sentence is an example not of amphiboly, but of equivocation. (See Whately's Logic, 9th ed., 1848, bk. iii., § 204.) B. In the form Amphiboly: Ordinary Language: In the same sense as that given under A., Logic . "Come, leave your schemes, And fine amphibolies ." Ben, Jonson: Magn. Lady, IH. B. "If it oracle contrary to our interest or humour, we will create an amphiboly, a double meaning where Whitlock : Manners of Eng . , p. 254. "Making difference of the quality of the offence may (say they give just ground to the accused party either to conceal the truth, or to answer wit with such amphibolies and equivocations as may may serve to his own preservation."- Bp . Hall : Cases of Conscience .