What's the difference between ambiguity and explanation?

Ambiguity


Definition:

  • (n.) The quality or state of being ambiguous; doubtfulness or uncertainty, particularly as to the signification of language, arising from its admitting of more than one meaning; an equivocal word or expression.

Example Sentences:

  • (1) Along the spectrum of loyalties lie multiple loyalties and ambiguous loyalties, and the latter, if unresolved, create moral ambiguities.
  • (2) This examination has proved an important help in the diagnosis of all the cases of sexual ambiguity.
  • (3) Exogenous activators of PKC stimulate insulin secretion from B cells, but attempts to define a physiological role for PKC by using inhibitors of this enzyme have produced ambiguous results.
  • (4) The aza analogue (RS)-3-hydroxy-2,5-pyrrolidinedione-3-acetic acid (6) of the five-membered citric anhydride (2) was prepared in the sequence citric acid----2-phenyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-one-5,5-diacetic acid (1)----citric acid beta-amide (3)----6 and used to resolve ambiguities in the mechanism of the citrate synthase reaction.
  • (5) Results obtained with this analog can be ambiguous, since 2-DOG can be phosphorylated by hexokinases of animal cells.
  • (6) Ultrasound has also proven useful in evaluating patients with ambiguous genitalia, amenorrhea and suspected PID and also is an effective means of localizing intrauterine contraceptive devices.
  • (7) Authors have previously published April 1988 a lecture where they criticize the bad denomination "passed coma" full of ambiguity for public mind, to which "brain death" ought to be preferred.
  • (8) There were, though, large omissions and ambiguities that will need to be filled in and clarified as polling day nears.
  • (9) "Prostatic acid phosphatase" is a term that has been used widely and ambiguously to refer to acid phosphatase, which 1) is elevated in the sera of patients with various diseases of the prostate, 2) is inhibited by one or more specific inhibitors, 3) attacks one or more specific substrates, 4) has certain unique antigenic properties, 5) is extracted from homogenates of prostate, and 6) is obtained from prostate secretions, etc.
  • (10) We have Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris coming to those platforms this December, and Tomb Raider: The Definitive Edition is available on PS4.” However, there is still some slight ambiguity about whether the deal is for Winter 2015 only.
  • (11) This ambiguity was resolved by using resealed ghosts, which are unable to incorporate oleic acid into phospholipids.
  • (12) This report describes a minicomputer-based translation system (TRANSOFT) that employs word order rearrangement followed by word-for-word translation and resolution of ambiguities based on context.
  • (13) Authors report a ring chromosome 18 (18 r) in a four year old boy, with low birth weight, retarded growth and development, microcephaly and plagiocephaly, horizontal nystagmus, ambiguous genitalia, clinodactyly of the fifth finger, distal axial triradius, whorls pattern in 8 fingers in dermatoglyphic.
  • (14) Membrane potential trajectories of 68 bulbar respiratory neurones from the peri-solitary and peri-ambigual areas of the brain-stem were recorded in anaesthetized cats to explore the synaptic influences of post-inspiratory neurones upon the medullary inspiratory network.
  • (15) As well, two-dimensional 15N-1H heteronuclear spectroscopy was used to resolve a number of ambiguities present in the homonuclear spectra due to resonance redundancies.
  • (16) The axon of the labeled bulbospinal neuron had axonal collaterals which were distributed within the region of the nucleus ambiguous of the ipsilateral medulla.
  • (17) Of the 406 tests there have been 85 positive, 296 negative and 25 ambiguous reports.
  • (18) In a second experiment schizophrenics were significantly different from the depressives in showing less inclination to select a metaphorical meaning to an ambiguous adjective in a sentence.
  • (19) Three-quarters of the sample was impaired on at least one of four discourse tests (knowing the alternate meanings of ambiguous words in context; getting the point of figurative or metaphoric expressions; bridging the inferential gaps between events in stereotyped social situations; and producing speech acts that express the apparent intentions of others).
  • (20) Yet, the apparent ambiguities of science confuse the courts, the juries, and the public.

Explanation


Definition:

  • (n.) The act of explaining, expounding, or interpreting; the act of clearing from obscurity and making intelligible; as, the explanation of a passage in Scripture, or of a contract or treaty.
  • (n.) That which explains or makes clear; as, a satisfactory explanation.
  • (n.) The meaning attributed to anything by one who explains it; definition; interpretation; sense.
  • (n.) A mutual exposition of terms, meaning, or motives, with a view to adjust a misunderstanding, and reconcile differences; reconciliation; agreement; as, to come to an explanation.

Example Sentences:

  • (1) Mannose receptor mediated uptake by the reticuloendothelial system has been suggested as an explanation for the rapid removal of ricin A chain antibody conjugates from the circulation after their administration.
  • (2) Thus the failure to raise anti-Id with internal image characteristics may provide an explanation for the lack of anti-gp120 activity reported in anti-Id antisera raised to multiple anti-CD4 antibodies.
  • (3) "Gut closure" is an unlikely explanation for these findings.
  • (4) The following possible explanations were discussed: a) the tested psychotropic drugs block prostaglandin receptors in the stomach; b) the test substances react with prostaglandin in the nutritive solution; c) the substances stimulate metabolic processes in the stomach wall that break down prostaglandin.
  • (5) It is possible that the formation of a mycetoma grain may limit a patient's exposure to antigens which confer specificity, an explanation which may also account for the variability in antibody responses seen.
  • (6) This paper provides an overview of the theory, indicating its contributions--such as a basis for individual psychotherapy of severe disorders and a more effective understanding of countertransference--and its shortcomings--such as lack of an explanation for the effects of physical and cognitive factors on object relatedness.
  • (7) Possible explanations of the clinical gains include 1) psychological encouragement, 2) improvements of mechanical efficiency, 3) restoration of cardiovascular fitness, thus breaking a vicous circle of dyspnoea, inactivity and worsening dyspnoea, 4) strengthening of the body musculature, thus reducing the proportion of anaerobic work, 5) biochemical adaptations reducing glycolysis in the active tissues, and 6) indirect responses to such factors as group support, with advice on smoking habits, breathing patterns and bronchial hygiene.
  • (8) Injections of l-amphetamine were not effective, ruling out non-specific effects of pH, osmolarity and the like and also ruling out noradrenergic actions as explanations of the behavioral effects.
  • (9) The interactions of nitrous oxide with cytochrome c oxidase isolated from bovine heart muscle have been investigated in search of an explanation for the inhibition of mitochondrial respiration by the inhalation anesthetic.
  • (10) Its potential association with midline facial defects as well as an alternative embryological explanation is discussed.
  • (11) A model for the binuclear iron center of ribonucleotide reductase is presented in which the hydroxide ligand sites provide an explanation for the half-of-sites reactivity of the enzyme.
  • (12) It was not certain whether the association was real or what the explanation might be.
  • (13) Such an explanation not only remains vague and speculative but deserves criticism also for being incomplete.
  • (14) The only explanation he can come up with is that Cameron is worried about his legacy.
  • (15) Transfer of nonprofessional tasks out of nursing and reduction of tension arising from reduced responsibility of nurses for coordinating activities with ancillary departments are possible explanations for the positive relation between the presence of SUM and professional nurses' satisfaction.
  • (16) The explanation in other cases may be behavioral: women who use birth control may be less risk taking in their sexual behavior.
  • (17) Possible explanations for the increased ability to better tolerate exercise and activities of daily living (ADL) after training include: 1) psychological encouragement, 2) improvements in mechanical efficiency, 3) improved cardiovascular conditioning, 4) improved muscle function, 5) biochemical adaptations responsible for reducing glucose utilization, 6) desensitization to dyspnea, and 7) contributions from better self-care.
  • (18) Patients with a high titre p24 antibody response progress to AIDS more slowly, and these data provide an explanation why p24 antigenaemia is not universally detected in patients with AIDS.
  • (19) An explanation of this in terms of terrestrial snail (intermediate host) populations and a suggestion for the possible use of these data in developing a predictive model for forecasting lungworm levels for use in in bighorn sheep management are given.
  • (20) We propose a structural explanation of these facts based on the known crystal structure of concanavalin A.