ambulatory
/ˈæmbjələtəri/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈæmbjələtɔːri/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈam-byə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē/ (ame, mw)
ambulatory — adjective
- ambulatorypositive
- more ambulatorycomparative
- most ambulatorysuperlative
1. describing medical services or treatments that a patient can receive by visiting
describing medical services or treatments that a patient can receive by visiting a clinic or hospital during the day, without needing to stay in a bed overnight
The hospital opened a new ambulatory surgery centre where patients go home the same day.
ambulatory surgery centre — same-day procedure facility
We will be opening two new ambulatory care facilities for private patients in May.
ambulatory care facilities — clinics without overnight beds
After the operation, Chen was classified as an ambulatory patient and discharged that evening.
The nurse explained that ambulatory services include X-rays, blood tests, and minor surgeries.
- outpatient
Ambulatory describes the service or facility; outpatient describes the patient's status — 'outpatient clinic' and 'ambulatory clinic' are often interchangeable.
- day-patient
Less common; refers specifically to a patient who visits for treatment and leaves the same day.
用法筆記
Typically appears before a noun describing a medical service (ambulatory care, ambulatory surgery) or a patient's status. Unlike outpatient, which focuses on the person, ambulatory in this sense primarily describes the type of service or setting.
常見錯誤
2. connected with the action or manner of moving on foot, or designed to be used wh
connected with the action or manner of moving on foot, or designed to be used while walking
The physiotherapist recommended ambulatory exercises such as slow laps around the garden.
ambulatory exercises — walking-based physical activities
Zara bought a pair of lightweight shoes designed for long ambulatory distances.
The museum guide led the group at an ambulatory pace so everyone could examine the exhibits.
Owen recorded his daily ambulatory activity on a small device clipped to his belt.
- walking
The everyday equivalent; ambulatory is much more formal and less frequent.
- pedestrian
Pedestrian refers to a person who walks, especially in traffic contexts; ambulatory describes the action or suitability for walking.
- peripatetic
More literary; means travelling from place to place on foot, with an added sense of wandering.
- stationary
Not moving; the opposite of walking.
- vehicular
Relating to vehicles, as opposed to walking on foot.
用法筆記
This sense is very rare in everyday language. It is mostly encountered in formal writing about walking, gait analysis, or rehabilitation. The more common word for daily use is walking.
常見錯誤
ambulatory — noun
1. a covered passage or sheltered corridor, often with arches or columns, found in
a covered passage or sheltered corridor, often with arches or columns, found in religious buildings such as churches and monasteries, designed for walking outdoors while protected from the weather
The monks walked slowly along the stone ambulatory as they said their morning prayers.
stone ambulatory — a covered walkway in a monastery
A narrow ambulatory runs around the back of the cathedral, connecting the chapel to the main hall.
The architect designed a glass-roofed ambulatory so visitors could enjoy the garden in rainy weather.
Folami took shelter from the storm in the ancient ambulatory of the old abbey.
- cloister
A cloister is a covered walkway with a wall on one side and an open colonnade on the other, usually in a monastery. An ambulatory is often similar but can be any sheltered passage in a religious building.
- colonnade
A row of columns supporting a roof; a colonnade is a structural feature, while an ambulatory is the walkway that runs along or through it.
- arcade
A covered passage with arches on one or both sides; can be part of a building or a standalone structure.
用法筆記
This is a specialist architectural term. In everyday conversation, covered walkway, cloister, or colonnade are far more common. Ambulatory in this sense appears mainly in descriptions of historic buildings and religious architecture.