ambidextrousnessn.
/ˌambᵻˈdɛkstrəsnəs/, U.S. /ˌæmbəˈdɛkst(ə)rəsnəs/ The quality of being ambidextrous (in various senses).
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > limb > [noun] > both sides
ambidexteritya1652
ambidextrousness1727
both-handedness1875
ambidextry1881
ambilaterality1927
1727 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. II Ambidextrousness, the using of both Hands alike.
1774 A. M. Toplady Hist. Proof Doctrinal Calvinism Church of Eng. II. xx. 698 He [sc. Melancthon] hated, in Reality, the Painful Ambidexterousness, wherewith he thought it prudent to balance between the Friends and the Enemys of the Reformation.
1827 Congregational Mag. Mar. 128/2 As to the fathers, their ambidextrousness in religious controversies is well known.
1881 Sat. Rev. No. 1323. 301 The remarkable ambidextrousness which he shows.
1922 ‘P. A. Crutch’ Queen of Sheba ii. 26 On account of her ambidextrousness, it was her practice to write two volumes at a time, one forward and the other backwards.
2000 Palm Beach (Florida) Post (Nexis) 13 Dec. 20 Handball is a rigorous, physical game... It requires deft hand-eye coordination, ambidextrousness and incredible stamina.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2020; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1727