ambages

American  

[am-bey-jeez] / æmˈbeɪ dʒiz /

noun

Archaic.

1. winding, roundabout paths or ways.

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Etymology

Origin of ambages

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin ambāgēs (plural) “circuits,” equivalent to amb(i)- ambi- + -āg- (combining form of agere “to move”) + -ēs plural ending; cf. indagate

Example Sentences

I be permitted to inform your correspondent that Mr. May was certainly correct when using the word "ambages" as an English word in his translation of Lucan.

From Notes and Queries, Number 201, September 3, 1853 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc by Bell, George

Lay by these ambages; what seeks the Moor?

From A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume 14 of 15 by Dodsley, Robert

But 'art is a second nature, and imitateth that dextrously and compendiously, which nature performs by ambages and length of time.'

From The Philosophy of the Plays of Shakspere Unfolded by Bacon, Delia

Rapin too gives his Vote on the same side, Rien n'est, says he, plus essentiel au Poem Epique, que la Fiction; and quotes Petronius to that purpose, Per ambages, Deorumque ministeria praecipitandus est Liber Spiritus.

From Epistle to a Friend Concerning Poetry (1700) and the Essay on Heroic Poetry (second edition, 1697) by Hooker, Edward N.

We have now reached, "longas per ambages," the times of Wilkins' manhood: he was born a year later than the opening of the College which he was to rule.

From The Life and Times of John Wilkins Warden of Wadham college, Oxford; master of Trinity college, Cambridge; and Bishop of Chester by Wright Henderson, P. A. (Patrick Arkley)