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

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

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)

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 Barclay, Alexander

Contrary to Lucan, who, in the above rules, drawn from the nature of poetry, is severely condemned by Petronius, Camo�ns conducts his poem per ambages Deorumque ministeria.

From The Lusiad or The Discovery of India, an Epic Poem by Camões, Luís de

Non enim res gestae versibus comprehendendae sunt, quod longe melius historici faciunt, sed per ambages deorumque ministeria et fabulosum sententiarum tormentum praecipitandus est liber spiritus.’

From The Student's Companion to Latin Authors by Middleton, George