Latin for 'going around' — a Roman candidate's shameless circuit of the Forum begging for votes.
Definition
A strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work.
The Full Story
Latin14th centurywell-attested
From OldFrench 'ambition,' from Latin 'ambitionem' (accusative of 'ambitio'), literally 'a going around,' especially to solicit votes, from 'ambire' (to go around), composed of 'ambi-' (around, on both sides) and 'ire' (to go). The word's history encodes a vivid picture of Roman political life: candidates for office would literally 'go around' (ambire) the Forum, pressing flesh and soliciting support from citizens — the original door-to-door campaigning. This canvassingwas 'ambitio.' The Latin
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'Ambition' comes from Roman electioneering — a candidate's 'ambitiō' was his going around the Forum soliciting votes, from 'ambīre' (to go around). Theword was originally pejorative: excessive canvassing, the shameless pursuit of office. 'Ambient' (surrounding) shares the sameroot
), 'ambidextrous,' and 'ambient.' 'Ire' (to go) comes from PIE *h₁ey- (to go), giving 'exit' (a going out), 'transit' (a going across), 'initial' (a going in, a
). The word entered English in the 14th century. Its moral valence has oscillated: pejorative in classical Latin and medieval Christianity (ambition as sin of pride), it became positive during the Renaissance and Enlightenment as individualism was revalued. Shakespeare explored this tension repeatedly, most famously in Julius Caesar. Key roots: ambi- (Latin: "around, on both sides"), *h₁ey- (Proto-Indo-European: "to go").