Amphi-
(Am*phi-). 'amfi`.]—> A prefix in words of Greek origin, signifying both, of both kinds, on both
sides, about, around.
Amphiarthrodial
(Am`phi*ar*thro"di*al) a. [Pref. amphi- + arthrodial.] Characterized by amphiarthrosis.
Amphiarthrosis
(Am`phi*ar*thro"sis) n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'amfi` + a joining, a joint.] (Anat.) A form of articulation
in which the bones are connected by intervening substance admitting slight motion; symphysis.
Amphiaster
(Am"phi*as`ter) n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'amfi` + 'asth`r a star.] (Biol.) The achromatic figure, formed
in mitotic cell-division, consisting of two asters connected by a spindle-shaped bundle of rodlike fibers
diverging from each aster, and called the spindle.
Amphibia
(||Am*phib"i*a) n. pl. [See Amphibium.] (Zoöl.) One of the classes of vertebrates.
The Amphibia are distinguished by having usually no scales, by having eggs and embryos similar to
those of fishes, and by undergoing a complete metamorphosis, the young having gills. There are three
living orders: (1) The tailless, as the frogs (Anura); (2) The tailed as the salamanders, and the siren group
which retain the gills of the young state (hence called Perennibranchiata) through the adult state, among
which are the siren, proteus, etc.; (3) The Cœcilians, or serpentlike Amphibia with minute scales and without
limbs. The extinct Labyrinthodonts also belonged to this class. The term is sometimes loosely applied
to both reptiles and amphibians collectively.
Amphibial
(Am*phib"i*al) a. & n. Amphibian. [R.]
Amphibian
(Am*phib"i*an) a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Amphibia; as, amphibian reptiles.
Amphibian
(Am*phib"i*an), n. (Zoöl.) One of the Amphibia.
Amphibiological
(Am*phib`i*o*log"ic*al) a. Pertaining to amphibiology.
Amphibiology
(Am*phib`i*ol"o*gy) n. [Gr. amphibious + -logy: cf. F. amphibiologie.] A treatise on
amphibious animals; the department of natural history which treats of the Amphibia.
Amphibiotica
(||Am*phib`i*ot"i*ca) n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. 'amfi` + biwtiko`s pertaining to life.] (Zoöl.) A
division of insects having aquatic larvæ.
Amphibious
(Am*phib"i*ous) a. [Gr. 'amfi`bios living a double life, i. e., both on land in water; 'amfi` +
bi`os life.]
1. Having the ability to live both on land and in water, as frogs, crocodiles, beavers, and some plants.
2. Pertaining to, adapted for, or connected with, both land and water.
The amphibious character of the Greeks was already determined: they were to be lords of land and
sea.
Hare.
3. Of a mixed nature; partaking of two natures.
Not in free and common socage, but in this amphibious subordinate class of villein socage.
Blackstone.
Amphibiously
(Am*phib"i*ous*ly), adv. Like an amphibious being.
Amphibium
(||Am*phib"i*um) n.; pl. L. Amphibia ; E. Amphibiums [NL., fr. Gr. See Amphibious.]
An amphibian.
Amphiblastic
(Am`phi*blas"tic) a. [Gr. 'amfi` + blastiko`s tending to sprout.] (Biol.) Segmenting unequally; —
said of telolecithal ova with complete segmentation.
