I am searching for a word that can describe an object or process as having both bad and good elements.
I realize this is a repeat of this previous question, but I do not believe the suggestions answer my question;
- Egregious, the proposed answer by the OP, is not a common enough word (anyone I have asked has had to look it up), nor does it mean precisely what I'm after,
- Sick is a word that can be used in both good and bad contexts. It does not actually mean "both good and bad".
The context I am working is biological, specifically cognitive impairment (such as dementia). In a publication I am working on currently, I would like to describe the role of inflammation as having both good and bad roles (depending on the situation).
I can think of possible sayings that might apply, for example "swings and roundabouts" or "bitter-sweet", but again these do not seem formal enough.
Is there a word that fits the context? "Inflammation is a double-edged sword…" but more scientifically!
Best Answer
How about dualistic?
As in the Oxford Dictionary:
Seems appropriate to say that inflammation has a dualistic role.