The ability to use both hands with equal skill and ease, or figuratively, the ability to handle multiple conflicting situations skillfully.
From Latin ambi- (both) + dexter (right hand), coined in the 16th century. Originally meant literal two-handedness, but evolved to include mental flexibility and adaptability.
Surprisingly, true ambidexterity is incredibly rare in humans—less than 1% of people are naturally ambidextrous, yet the word became popular metaphorically during the Industrial Revolution to describe versatile workers who could switch between tasks.
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