double-edged

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dou·ble-edged

(dŭb′əl-ĕjd′)

adj.

1. Having two cutting edges: a double-edged blade.

a. Effective or capable of being interpreted in two ways: double-edged praise.

b. Having a dual purpose: combat troops with a double-edged mission.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

double-edged

adj

1. acting in two ways; having a dual effect: a double-edged law.

2. (of a remark, argument, etc) having two possible interpretations, esp applicable both for and against or being really malicious though apparently innocuous

3. (Arms & Armour (excluding Firearms)) (of a sword, knife, etc) having a cutting edge on either side of the blade

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

dou′ble-edged′

adj.

1. having two cutting edges, as an ax.

2. capable of acting in two ways or having opposite effects or interpretations: a double-edged remark.

[1545–55]

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Adj.

double-edged - capable of being interpreted in two usually contradictory ways; "double-edged praise"

ambiguous - having more than one possible meaning; "ambiguous words"; "frustrated by ambiguous instructions, the parents were unable to assemble the toy"

Translations

double-edged

[ˈdʌblˈedʒd] ADJ [remark] → con segundas
it's a double-edged sword → es un arma de doble filo

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

double-edged

[ˌdʌblˈɛdʒd] adj (remark) → a doppio taglio

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

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References in classic literature ?

Violent without craftiness, and furious without malice, one may imagine him seated masterfully with a double-edged sword on his knees upon the painted and gilt clouds of the sunset, bowing his shock head of golden locks, a flaming beard over his breast, imposing, colossal, mighty-limbed, with a thundering voice, distended cheeks and fierce blue eyes, urging the speed of his gales.

And the royal master of high latitudes sighs mightily, with the sinking sun upon his breast and the double-edged sword upon his knees, as if wearied by the innumerable centuries of a strenuous rule and saddened by the unchangeable aspect of the ocean under his feet - by the endless vista of future ages where the work of sowing the wind and reaping the whirlwind shall go on and on till his realm of living waters becomes a frozen and motionless ocean.

In his kingly way he has taken but little account of lives sacrificed to his impulsive policy; he is a king with a double-edged sword bared in his right hand.

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Achilles next offered a prize of iron for archery--ten double-edged axes and ten with single edges: he set up a ship's mast, some way off upon the sands, and with a fine string tied a pigeon to it by the foot; this was what they were to aim at.

Meriones, therefore, took all ten double-edged axes, while Teucer bore off the single-edged ones to his ships.

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In his girdle he wore a long and double-edged dagger, which was the only offensive weapon about his person.

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By his side was a heavy broadsword and a sharp, double-edged dagger.

Then, when Little John stood against the tree, he drew Guy of Gisbourne's sharp, double-edged dagger.

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'Look here!' he replied, pulling from his waistcoat a curiously- constructed pistol, having a double-edged spring knife attached to the barrel.

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The rider sat astride of a saddle, as in the Butteridge machine, and he carried a large double-edged two-handed sword, in addition to his explosive-bullet firing rifle.

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BANK of England director Alex Brazier warned yesterday that suspending funds can be a "double-edged sword", with the threat prompting investors to rush to the front of the redemption queue.

Bank warns of frozen funds risk

Walter Cut GX34 double-edged grooving inserts are specifically for deep grooving and parting of up to a diameter of 2.56 inches (65 mm).They can be used in monoblock tools as well as grooving tools with a reinforced blade.