patent ambiguity definition v latent ambiguity
There are two categories of ambiguity: latent and patent. Latent ambiguity exists when the language used is clear and intelligible so that it suggests one meaning but some extrinsic fact or evidence creates a need for interpretation or a choice among two or more possible meanings.In a classic case, Raffles v. Wichelhaus, 159 Eng.ncertainty or doubtfulness of the meaning of language. When language is capable of being understood in more than one way by a reasonable person, ambiguity exists. It is not the use of peculiar words or of common words used in a peculiar sense.