AMPHIBOLOGY, or Amphibolousness, in Grammar, a Fault in Language, whereby it is rendered obscure, and liable to be understood in a double Sense. Amphibology is chiefly used in respect of a Phrase; as Equivoque is in respect of a Word. See EQUIVOQUE, and EQUIVOCATION. Of this kind was that Answer which Pyrrhus received from the Oracle; Aio te, Aeacida, Romanos vincere posse: Where the Amphibology consists in this, that the Words te and Romanos, may either of them precede, or either of them follow the Words posse vincere, indifferently. See ORACLE. The English Language usually speaks in a more natural manner, and is not capable of any Amphibologies of this kind: nor is it so liable to Amphibologies in the Articles, as the French and most modern Tongues. See CONSTRUCTION, ENGLISH, ARTICLE, &c. The Word comes from the Greek, αμφίβολος, ambiguous, and λόγος, Discourse.
