ambidextrous

== English == === Etymology === From Medieval Latin ambidexter +‎ -ous, the former from ambi- (“both”) + dexter (“right”), thus literally “both hands being like a right hand”. By surface analysis, ambi- (“both”) +‎ dextrous (“skillful; agile”). The Latin word is first attested in the Vetus Latina, calquing Ancient Greek ἀμφοτεροδέξιος (amphoterodéxios) in Judges 3:15 after the Septuagint, itself translating Hebrew אִטֵּר יַד יְמִינוֹ (iṭṭēr yaḏ yəmīnō, literally “bound in his right hand”). This phrase is now generally translated as “left-handed”; the Septuagint translation is either from a variant reading or from a different interpretation. === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˌæm.biˈdɛk.stɹəs/ (US) IPA(key): /ˌæm.bɪˈdɛk.stɹəs/ Rhymes: -ɛkstɹəs Hyphenation: am‧bi‧dex‧trous === Adjective === ambidextrous (comparative more ambidextrous, superlative most ambidextrous) Having equal or comparable ability in both hands; in particular, able to write well with both hands. Equally usable by left-handed and right-handed people (as a tool or instrument). (archaic) Practising or siding with both parties. (humorous) Of a person, bisexual. Exceptionally skillful; adept in more than one medium, genre, style, etc. ==== Synonyms ==== both-handed, either-handed ==== Antonyms ==== ambilevous, ambisinistrous ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== === Further reading === handedness on Wikipedia.Wikipedia