Etymology
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ambivalence (n.)

"simultaneous conflicting feelings," 1924 (by 1912 as ambivalency), from German Ambivalenz, coined 1910 by Swiss psychologist Eugen Bleuler on the model of German Equivalenz "equivalence," etc. (for which see equivalence), from Latin ambi- "both, on both sides" (see ambi-) + valentia "strength," an abstract noun from the present participle of valere "be strong" (from PIE root *wal- "to be strong"). A psychological term that by 1929 had taken on a broader literary and general sense.

Entries linking to ambivalence

equivalence (n.)

"equality in value, correspondence in signification, force, nature, etc.," 1540s, from French équivalence, from Medieval Latin aequivalentia, from Late Latin aequivalentem "equivalent" (see equivalent). Related: Equivalency (1530s).

ambi- 

word-forming element meaning "both, on both sides," from Latin ambi- "around, round about" (before vowels amb-, also sometimes reduced to am-, an-), from PIE root *ambhi- "around," which is probably an ablative plural (*ant-bhi "from both sides") of *ant- "front, forehead."

updated on September 19, 2022

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Dictionary entries near ambivalence

ambisexual

ambisexuality

ambit

ambition

ambitious

ambivalence

ambivalent

ambivert

amble

ambler

amblosis

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