The coexistence of antithetical attitudes or emotions toward a given person or thing, or idea, as in the simultaneous feeling and expression of love and hate toward the same person. [ambi- + L. valentia, strength]
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am·biv·a·lence am-'biv-ə-lən(t)s n simultaneous and contradictory attitudes or feelings (as attraction and repulsion) toward an object, person, or action <\ambivalence which is expressed in behavior by alternating obedience and rebellion (G. S. Blum)>
am·biv·a·lent -lənt adj
am·biv·a·lent·ly adv
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n.
(in psychology) the condition of holding opposite feelings (such as love and hate) for the same person or object. Excessive and prevalent ambivalence was thought by Bleuler to be a feature of schizophrenia.
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am·biv·a·lence (am-bivґə-ləns) [ambi- + L. valentia strength, power] the simultaneous existence of conflicting attitudes, emotions, ideas, or wishes toward the same object. ambivalent adjMedical dictionary. 2011.