Etymology Dictionary

AMBIDEXTROUS,  using both hands.  (Lat.)   Sir T. Browne, Vulg. Errors, b. iv. c. 5, § 10, has 'ambidexterous, or right-handed on both sides.'   He also uses ambidexters as a plural sb.—Lat. ambidexter, using both hands equally; not used in classical Latin, and only given by Ducange with a metaphorical sense, viz. as applied to one who is equally ready to deal with spiritual and temporal business.—Lat. ambi-, generally shortened to amb-; and dexter, the right hand.   See Dexterous.   B. The prefix ambi- is cognate with Gk. ἀμφί, on both sides, whence E. amphi-; Skt. abhi (for ambhi), as used in the comp. abhitas, on both sides; O.H.G. umbi, mod. G. um, around; A.S. embe-, emb-, ymbe-, ymb-, around.   It is clearly related to Lat. ambo, Gk. ἄμφω, both, and even to E. both.   See Both.