amphiboly

A noun referring to a type of ambiguity in language where a sentence or phrase can be interpreted in more than one way due to its grammatical structure.

• 🇩🇪Substantiv, das eine Art von Mehrdeutigkeit in der Sprache bezeichnet, bei der ein Satz oder Ausdruck aufgrund seiner grammatischen Struktur auf mehr als eine Weise interpretiert werden kann.

1. Ambiguous grammatical construction C2 formal

   A phrase or sentence that can be interpreted in more than one way due to its grammatical structure, leading to uncertainty in meaning.

   • The sentence 'They are flying planes' is an amphiboly, as it could mean either that people are piloting aircraft or that the aircraft themselves are in flight.
   • 'Visiting relatives can be boring' is an amphiboly, because it is unclear whether the relatives are visiting or being visited.
   • 'The chicken is ready to eat' is an amphiboly, as it could mean the chicken is prepared to be eaten or that the chicken is hungry.

   🇩🇪Mehrdeutige grammatische Konstruktion

   Synonyme: ambiguityamphibologyequivocation

• amphibolies plural form
• amphibolies' possessive plural form
• amphiboly's possessive singular form