ambitendency
|am-bi-ten-den-cy|
/ˌæmbɪˈtɛndənsi/
conflicting impulses
Etymology
'ambitendency' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'ambi-' meaning 'both' and 'tendere' meaning 'to stretch or tend'.
'Ambitendency' was formed in English by combining the Latin prefix 'ambi-' with 'tendency', reflecting the idea of dual or opposing tendencies.
Initially, it meant 'having tendencies in two directions', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a tendency to act in opposite ways or directions, often used in psychological contexts to describe conflicting impulses.
The patient exhibited ambitendency, struggling between the desire to speak and the urge to remain silent.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/07/10 08:06