. [ L. prefix ambi-, amb-, akin to Gr. &unr_;, Skr. abhi, AS. embe, emb, OHG. umbi, umpi, G. um, and also L. ambo both. Cf. Amphi-, Both, By. ] A prefix meaning about, around; -- used in words derived from the Latin. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ LL., fr. L. ambo both + dexter right, dextra (sc. manus) the right hand. ] Using both hands with equal ease. Smollett. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A person who uses both hands with equal facility. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence: A double-dealer; one equally ready to act on either side in party disputes. [ 1913 Webster ]

The rest are hypocrites, ambidexters, so many turning pictures -- a lion on one side, a lamb on the other. Burton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Law) A juror who takes money from both parties for giving his verdict. Cowell. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The quality of being ambidextrous; the faculty of using both hands with equal facility. Hence: Versatility; general readiness; as, ambidexterity of argumentation. Sterne. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ignorant I was of the human frame, and of its latent powers, as regarded speed, force, and ambidexterity. De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Double-dealing. (Law) A juror's taking of money from the both parties for a verdict. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining equally to the right-hand side and the left-hand side. Earle. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Having the faculty of using both hands with equal ease. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Practicing or siding with both parties. [ 1913 Webster ]

All false, shuffling, and ambidextrous dealings. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an ambidextrous manner; cunningly. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being ambidextrous; ambidexterity. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. ambiens, p. pr. of ambire to go around; amb- + ire to go. ] Encompassing on all sides; circumfused; investing. “Ambient air.” Milton. “Ambient clouds.” Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Something that surrounds or invests; as, air . . . being a perpetual ambient. Sir H. Wotton. [ 1913 Webster ]