'ancipitous' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'ancipitus,' where 'an-' meant 'two' and 'caput' meant 'head,' thus 'two-headed' or 'double-edged.'

'ancipitus' changed from Latin into Medieval Latin 'ancipitosus,' and eventually became the modern English word 'ancipitous.'

Initially, it meant 'having two heads or two edges,' but over time it evolved into its current meanings of 'double-edged' or 'ambiguous.'