anceps (once ancipes, Plaut. Rud. 4, 4, 114; cf. Charis, pp. 67 and 96 P.; Prisc. p. 754 P.; with this form cf. procapis, Paul. ex Fest. p. 225 Müll., and Corss. Ausspr. II. pp. 398, 591; abl. sing. always ancipiti), cĭpĭtis, adj. [an-caput; cf. Paul. ex Fest. p. 19 Müll.].
I Lit., that has two heads , twoheaded (cf.: biceps, praeceps, etc.; so only in the poets): Janus, Ov. M. 14, 334; so id. F. 1, 95 (cf.: Janus bifrons, Verg. A. 7, 180). —Hence also of a mountain which has two summits, two-peaked : acumen, Ov. M. 12, 337.—
II In gen.
A.1 Of an object whose qualities have significance in two respects, double , that extends on two opposite sides (while duplex is an object that exists in separate forms, twice. Thus anceps sententia is an opinion which wavers , fluctuates between two decisions , while duplex sententia is a twofold opinion): Post altrinsecus ancipes securiculast, the axe cuts on two sides , is two-edged , Plaut. Rud. 4, 4, 114; so, ferrum, Lucil. ap. Non. p. 245, 17, and Lucr. 6, 168: securis, Ov. M. 8, 397 al.—Also, poet., of the contrast between great heat and cold: Ancipiti quoniam mucroni utrimque notantur, since things are marked by double point , i. e. one at one, another at the other end, Lucr. 2, 520: bestiae quasi ancipites in utrāque sede viventes, amphibious animals , Cic. N. D. 1, 37; so in the histt. freq. of an attack, a contest, etc., on two different sides, Caes. B. G. 7, 76: ita ancipiti proelio diu atque acriter pugnatum est, double , because contending with enemies both in front and in the rear, id. ib. 1, 26 Herz.; so id. B. C. 3, 63; Nep. Them. 3, 3: periculum, Sall. J. 38, 5: ancipitem pugnam hostibus facere, double , as given by horse and foot, Tac. A. 6, 35: ancipiti metu et ab cive et ab hoste, twofold , Liv. 2, 24; so, anceps terror, id. 34, 21; Tac. Agr. 26: tumultus, Liv. 32, 30: tela, shot or hurled from both sides , id. 37, 11: ancipitia munimenta, on two sides , id. 5, 1 al.—
2 Trop., twofold : propter ancipitem faciendi dicendique sapientiam, Cic. de Or. 3, 16: ancipites viae rationesque et pro omnibus et contra omnia disputandi, id. ib. 3, 36: adferre ancipitem curam cogitandi, a twofold care of thought , id. Off. 1, 3, 9; so Tac. A. 2, 40: jus anceps, the uncertainties of law , Hor. S. 2, 5, 34 al.—
B Wavering , doubtful , uncertain , unfixed , undecided (the prevalent signif. in Cic.): anceps fatorum via, Cic. Somn. Scip. 2: incertus exitus et anceps fortuna belli, id. Marcell. 5: anceps proelii fortuna, Tac. H. 3, 18: oraculum, Liv. 9, 3: proelium, id. 2, 62, and Tac. H. 3, 22; so esp. freq.: ancipiti Marte pugnare, to contend without deciding the contest , Liv. 7, 29; 21, 1 al.: causa anceps, Cic. de Or. 2, 44: genus causarum anceps, id. Inv. 1, 15, 20 (cf.: genus causarum dubium, Auct. Her. 1, 3: dubium vel anceps, Quint. 4, 1, 10): fides, uncertain , wavering , fidelity , Curt. 3, 8; so also, ancipites animi, Luc. 9, 46.—Also ellipt.: Lucanus an Apulus, anceps, doubtful whether , etc., * Hor. S. 2, 1, 34.—
C Dangerous , hazardous , perilous , critical (post-Aug.; esp. freq. in Tac.; never in Cic.): viae, Ov. M. 14, 438: loca, Nep. Dat. 7, 3: dubiā et interdum ancipiti fortunā, Vell. 2, 79: anceps periculum, Tac. A. 4, 59: ancipites morbi corporis, Plin. 7, 45, 46, § 149: cujus (Antonii) operā ex ancipiti morbo convaluerat, Suet. Aug. 59: Ideo et purgationibus (labruscum) ancipitem putant, Plin. 23, 1, 14, § 20: vox pro re publicā honesta, ipsi anceps, pernicious , Tac. H. 1, 5: adulatio anceps si nulla et ubi nimia est, id. A. 4, 17.—So subst., danger , hazard , peril , = periculum, discrimen: dubiā suorum re in anceps tractus vim legionum implorabat, Tac. A. 4, 73: seu nihil militi seu omnia concederentur, in ancipiti res publica, id. ib. 1, 36: scelus inter ancipitia probatum, id. ib. 11, 26; 14, 22: facilius inter ancipitia clarescunt, id. G. 14: nova ambigua ancipitia malebat, id. H. 2, 86: inter ancipitia deterrimum est media sequi, id. ib. 3, 40.☞ Comp. , sup. , and adv. not used.