a. and sb.; also 6–8 ambodexter. [a. med.L. ambidexter (used in senses 2, 3), f. amb(i)- both, on both sides + dexter right-handed. In 17th c. generally spelt ambodexter, after L. ambo both.] A. adj.
1. lit. Right-handed on both sides, able to use the left hand as well as the right.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., 191. So may Aristotle say, that only man is Ambidexter.
1751. Smollett, Per. Pic. (1779), IV. xcix. 292. Being ambi-dexter, he raised … a clatter upon the turnkey’s blind side.
1880. Blackmore, M. Anerley, II. xvi. 283. With his left hand, for he was ambidexter … he caught up a handspike.
2. Double-dealing; practising on both sides.
1613. Sir H. Finch, Law (1636), 186. To call … an Attornie Ambodexter, or to say that he dealeth corruptly.
1624. E. S., in Shaks. Cent. Praise, 154. These ambi-dexter Gibionites.
1705. Hickeringill, Priest-cr., I. (1721), 44. Nor Ambodexter Lawyers take a Fee On both sides.
1856. Dove, Logic Chr. Faith, I. ii. II. § 2. 94. Tortuous and ambidexter sophistries.
3. Of or belonging to both hands or sides; two-sided.
1806. W. Taylor, Ann. Rev., IV. 228. Posted by double entry with the ambidexter formality of an Italian ledger.
1839. Sir J. Stephen, Ess. Eccl. Biog. (1850), II. 37. An ambidexter controversialist, the English Church warred at once with the errors of Rome and of Geneva.
B. sb. [The adj. used absol.]
1. One who uses the left hand as well as the right; hence fig. a man of unusual dexterity.
1598. Florio, Ded. 1. If we be not ambidexters, vsing both handes alike.
1615. Crooke, Body of Man, 732. A woman, saith Hipocrates, cannot be an ambidexter.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., s.v., Surgeons and oculists are of necessity obliged to be Ambidexters.
2. Law. One who takes bribes from both sides. (The earliest sense in Eng.)
1532. Use of Dice Play (1850), 17. Any affinity with our men of law?… Never with those that be honest. Marry! with such as be ambidexters, and use to play in both the hands.
1652. Benlowe, Theoph., XIII. xviii. 238. From costly bills of greedy Emp’ricks free, From plea of Ambo-dexters fee.
1691. Blount, Law Dict., Ambidexter … in the legal acception … That Juror or Embraceor who takes Money on both sides for giving his Verdict.
1809. [So in Tomlins.]
3. A double-dealer, a two-faced actor, generally.
a. 1555. Ridley, Wks., 27. They may be called neutrals, ambidexters, or rather such as can shift on both sides.
1599. Peele, Sir Clyomon, Wks. III. 44. Such shifting knaves as I am the ambodexter must play.
1628. Wither, Brit. Rememb., IV. 825. In this Battell I espy’d Some Ambodexters, fight on either side.
1703. De Foe, Ref. Manners, 93. Those Ambo-Dexters in Religion, who Can any thing dispute, yet any thing can do.
1864. Sir F. Palgrave, Norm. & Eng., III. 278. An Ambidexter, owing fealty to both Counts and not faithful to either.
