English → Latin
“ambidexter” in Latin
aequĭmănuswho can use both hands equally wellpraevāricorto walk crookedly, to not walk straight; to step out of line, deviate, transgress; to collude, prevaricate, play a doublthūsincense; frankincensedexterright (relative direction), right hand; skillful; fortunate, favorablevafersly, cunning, crafty, artful, subtle
The English word ambidexter itself goes back to Latin dexter, through ambidexter.
Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864
ambidexter
aequimanus (Auson., Beda, Orth. 2329, Plin.). The Greek ἀμϕιδέξιος, περιδίξιος, might be used in familiar style. Thus (figuratively): “ut plane Homerica appellatione περιδίξιον, id est; aequimanum te pronuntiem, “Symmach, Ep. 9, 101 (110): dexter, vafer, etc.
Given to double-dealing, homo bilinguis (double-tongued): temporum multorum homo (Curt., 5, 3, 4: a temporizer; time-server): praevaricator (as a lawyer).
Quick answer
- What is the Latin word for ambidexter?
- The usual Latin words for “ambidexter” are aequĭmănus, praevāricor, thūs; also dexter, vafer. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.
Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.