2006-08-02 21:23:46 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Yeah matthew has it spot on... just to add a comment tho...
The origin of the word is Greek, αμφις meaning "both" and βιος meaning "life".
αμφις can be transcibed into "ambi" (as in ambidextrous, meaning able to use both left and right limbs) and
βιος can be transcibed into "bio" or "life" as in biology, biosphere, biotechnology, etc...
So the word "ambi-bios" or "amphi-bio" probably mutated over time and is now "amphi-bian".
In portugese it's anfíbio.
2006-08-02 21:40:47 · answer #1 · answered by quojakeauctions 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitions of amphibian:
noun: cold-blooded vertebrate typically living on land but breeding in water; aquatic larvae undergo metamorphosis into adult form
noun: an airplane designed to take off and land on water
noun: a flat-bottomed motor vehicle that can travel on land or water
adjective: relating to or characteristic of animals of the class Amphibia
2006-08-03 04:29:53 · answer #2 · answered by gr8lyendowed 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Amphibian is a greek word 'amphi '- meaning two & 'bian' meaning lives.Amphibains like frogs , toads can live both on land and on water. They generally live on land and breed in water.
2006-08-03 05:14:28 · answer #3 · answered by RAMA K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
amphibian is something that can live in two medians for example water and land.
2006-08-03 06:07:13 · answer #4 · answered by Watcher 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
("both life") .. animal lives on land and in the water
2006-08-03 04:27:28 · answer #5 · answered by ♪ ♫ ☮ NYbron ☮ ♪ ♫ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋