Word of the day
ambivalence
Main Entry: am·biv·a·lence
Pronunciation: am-'bi-v&-l&n(t)s
Function: noun
Etymology: International Scientific
Vocabulary 1 : simultaneous and contradictory attitudes or feelings (as
attraction and repulsion) toward an object, person, or action 2 a : continual
fluctuation (as between one thing and its opposite) b : uncertainty as to which
approach to follow- am·biv·a·lent /-l&nt/
adjective- am·biv·a·lent·ly adverb
I looked up this word today and realized that I've completely misunderstood it's meaning. I thought it was synonymous with indifference. Boy was I wrong. Now that I really know what it means, I'll have to try to use it correctly a few times, in hopes that it will stick.
PS. Yes I did take Latin in high school, so I really have no excuse for not recognizing the ambi- root. What can I say? I just don't pay attention sometimes. Well, a lot of the time.
posted by Catherine Elizabeth | 3:36 PM
1 Comments:
We talked about this word the other day in a class of mine, and how Everyone uses it incorrectly. So don't feel bad, you probably learned the word from people who were using it wrongly. I thought the same as you until the other week.
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