ambivalent

Etymology

From ambivalence, from German Ambivalenz, from Latin ambi- (“in two ways”) + valeō (“be strong”); equivalent to ambi- +‎ -valent.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation, US) IPA^(key): /æmˈbɪv.ə.lənt/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Adjective

ambivalent (comparative more ambivalent, superlative most ambivalent)

1. Simultaneously experiencing or expressing opposing or contradictory feelings, beliefs, or motivations.
2. Alternately having one opinion or feeling, and then the opposite.

   He has an ambivalent relationship towards his parents.

Etymology

From German ambivalent, from Latin ambi- + Latin valēns, the latter from the verb valeō

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɑ̃.bi.va.lɑ̃/

Adjective

ambivalent (feminine singular ambivalente, masculine plural ambivalents, feminine plural ambivalentes)

1. ambivalent
2. ambiguous, equivocal

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ʔambivaˈlɛnt/

• Audio (Austria)

  (file)

• Audio

  (file)

Adjective

ambivalent (comparative ambivalenter, superlative am ambivalentesten)

1. ambivalent
   • 1923, Sigmund Freud, Eine Teufelsneurose im siebzehnten Jahrhundert, in: Imago: Zeitschrift für Anwendung der Psychoanalyse auf die Geisteswissenschaften, vol. 9, booklet 1, Internationaler Psychoanalytischer Verlag, page 13–14:

     Wir wissen auch aus der Geheimgeschichte des Individuums, welche die Analyse aufdeckt, daß das Verhältnis zu diesem Vater vielleicht vom Anfang an ein ambivalentes war, jedenfalls bald so wurde, d. h. es umfaßte zwei einander entgegengesetzte Gefühlsregungen, nicht nur eine zärtlich unterwürfige, sondern auch eine feindselig trotzige.

     We also know from the secret story of the individual, which the analysis uncovers, that the relationship to this father was maybe from the beginning an ambivalent one, in any case became soon like this, that is it was comprised of two emotions contradictory to each other, not only an affectionate submissive one, but also a hostile defiant one.

Further reading

• ambivalent in Duden online