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

May, in his translation of Lucan, uses the word ambages as an English word.

From Notes and Queries, Number 194, July 16, 1853 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc by Bell, George

Tush, tush, my lord! let goe these ambages, And in plaine tearmes acquaint her with your loue.

From The Spanish Tragedie by Kyd, Thomas

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

The doctor still answered per ambages, ut mos oraculis.

From It Is Never Too Late to Mend by Reade, Charles