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Where does the word "amphibian" come from? It comes from Greek amphibios, and was adopted directly into English (1630s).
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Where does the word "amphibian" come from? It comes from Greek amphibios, and was adopted directly into English (1630s).
Amphibian’s story begins in Greek: amphibios meant “living a double life.” Literally having a double life, from amphi (both) and bios (life). It reached English by 1630s as amphibian. From Greek 'amphi', both, plus 'bios', life. Today, amphibian means a cold-blooded animal that lives both in water and on land, such as a frog.
- Stage 1 · Greek · ancient amphibios "living a double life", literally having a double life, from amphi (both) and bios (life).
- Stage 2 · English · 1630s amphibian "an animal living both in water and on land", from Greek 'amphi', both, plus 'bios', life.