ambivalent etymology

Etymology

The word "ambivalent" comes from Latin:

• ambi: meaning "both"
• valentia: meaning "strength" or "power"

Meaning

Ambivalent means having both positive and negative feelings or opinions about something or someone. It implies a state of indecision or uncertainty.

Origin

The word "ambivalent" was first coined by the Swiss psychologist Eugen Bleuler in 1911 to describe a symptom of schizophrenia characterized by contradictory emotions or behaviors. It was later adopted by psychologists and psychoanalysts to describe a more general state of mind.

Usage

The word "ambivalent" is commonly used in various contexts, including:

• Psychology: To describe a state of conflicting or mixed emotions.
• Ethics: To refer to a situation where there are both benefits and drawbacks to a particular course of action.
• Everyday language: To express indecision or uncertainty about something or someone.

Examples

• "She was ambivalent about her new job; she liked the work but found the commute stressful."
• "The ethical implications of genetic engineering are ambivalent; it has the potential for great benefits but also for harm."
• "I'm ambivalent about buying a new car; I need one, but I'm not sure if I can afford it."

ambivalent relate terms

• ambivalence

  Etymology Latin ambi both valentia strength worthiness Meaning A state

• equivalence

  Etymology From Middle English equivalens from Latin aequivalēns present participle of

• ambi

  Etymology Late Latin ambiguus doubtful uncertain Ultimately from Proto Indo Europe

• energy

  Etymology The word energy is derived from the Ancient Greek word ενέργεια en

• disheveled

  Etymology Disheveled is derived from the following linguistic elements dis pre

• surmise

  Etymology Old French surmiser Late Latin supermisare to think over Latin supe

• abound

  Etymology The word abound comes from the Old French word abondir which in turn came

• clothes horse

  Etymology The term clotheshorse originated from the combination of two words Clothes

• project

  Etymology The word project originates from the Latin word projicere which means to

• random

  Etymology random from Middle French randon meaning violent movement attack impetuo

• virus

  Etymology Latin vīrus plural vĭrā Middle English virus Meaning A microscopic

• gravity

  Etymology The word gravity is derived from the Middle English word gravite which in

• sweet

  Etymology The word sweet comes from the Old English word swēte which itself evolve