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

See Examples For:

ambages

After many ambages, perspicuously define what this melancholy is.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Noah Webster

These are but ambages to drive of time, And linger Justice from her purposed end.

From Sir John Oldcastle by Shakespeare (spurious and doubtful works)

To such ambages who doth their minde incline, They count all other as priuate of doctrine, And that the faultes which be in them alone, And be common in other men eche one.

From The Ship of Fools, Volume 1 by Alexander Barclay

There is a little affectation sometimes in Mr Fuseli's writing of Ciceronic ambages, that is really injurious to the good sense and just thoughts, which would without this display, come free, open, and with power.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine - Volume 54, No. 338, December 1843 by Various

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 P. A. (Patrick Arkley) Wright Henderson