n. [ Gr. 'amfi`bolos doubtful, equivocal, fr. 'amfiba`llein to throw round, to doubt: cf. F. amphibole. Haüy so named the genus from the great variety of color and composition assumed by the mineral. ] (Min.) A common mineral embracing many varieties varying in color and in composition. It occurs in monoclinic crystals; also massive, generally with fibrous or columnar structure. The color varies from white to gray, green, brown, and black. It is a silicate of magnesium and calcium, with usually aluminium and iron. Some common varieties are tremolite, actinolite, asbestus, edenite, hornblende (the last name being also used as a general term for the whole species). Amphibole is a constituent of many crystalline rocks, as syenite, diorite, most varieties of trachyte, etc. See Hornblende. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Of or pertaining to amphiboly; ambiguous; equivocal. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Of or resembling the mineral amphibole. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. a metamorphic rock composed chiefly of amphibole and plagioclase. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. Of doubtful meaning; ambiguous. “Amphibological expressions.” Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Am*phib`o*log"ic*al*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n.; pl. Amphibologies [ L. amphibologia, for amphibolia, fr. Gr. 'amfiboli`a, with the ending -logia as if fr. Gr. 'amfi`bolos ambiguous + lo`gos speech: cf. F. amphibologie. See Amphiboly. ] A phrase, discourse, or proposition, susceptible of two interpretations; and hence, of uncertain meaning. It differs from equivocation, which arises from the twofold sense of a single term. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. amphibolus, Gr. &unr_; thrown about, doubtful. See Amphibole. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Ambiguous; doubtful. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Never was there such an amphibolous quarrel -- both parties declaring themselves for the king. Howell. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Logic) Capable of two meanings. [ 1913 Webster ]

An amphibolous sentence is one that is capable of two meanings, not from the double sense of any of the words, but from its admitting of a double construction; e. g., “The duke yet lives that Henry shall depose.” Whately. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Amphibolies [ L. amphibolia, Gr. &unr_;: cf. OE. amphibolie. See Amphibolous. ] Ambiguous discourse; amphibology. [ 1913 Webster ]

If it oracle contrary to our interest or humor, we will create an amphiboly, a double meaning where there is none. Whitlock. [ 1913 Webster ]