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amphi-[amphi- 词源字典]: before a vowel amph-, word-forming element from Greek amphi- "both, of both kinds, on both sides, around," comb. form of amphi "round about, around;" cognate with Latin ambi- (see ambi-).[amphi- etymology, amphi- origin, 英语词源]
amphibian (adj.): 1630s, "having two modes of existence, of doubtful nature," from Greek amphibia, neuter plural of amphibios "living a double life," from amphi- "of both kinds" (see amphi-) + bios "life" (see bio-).

Formerly used by zoologists to describe all sorts of combined natures (including otters and seals), the biological sense "class of animals between fishes and reptiles that live both on land and in water" and the noun derivative both are first recorded 1835. Amphibia was used in this sense from c. 1600 and has been a zoological classification since c. 1819.
amphibious (adj.): 1640s, from Greek amphibios "having a double life" (see amphibian). Of motor vehicles, from 1915.
amphibrach (n.): 1580s, from Latin amphibrachus, from Greek amphibrakhys, a foot consisting of a long syllable between two short, literally "short at both ends," from amphi- "on both sides" (see amphi-) + brakhys "short" (see brief (adj.)).
Amphictyonic League: 1753, one of several ancient Greek confederations of neighboring states, from Greek amphiktionikos, from amphiktiones "neighbors," literally "they that dwell round about," from amphi- "on both sides" (see amphi-) + second element related to ktizein "to create, found," ktoina "habitation, township," from PIE root *tkei- "to settle, dwell, be home" (see home (n.)).
amphigory (n.): 1809, "burlesque nonsense writing or verse," from French amphigouri, which is of unknown origin, perhaps from Greek amphi- (see amphi-) + gyros "circle," thus "circle on both sides," or second element may be from Greek -agoria "speech" (compare allegory, category). Related: Amphigoric.
Amphiscians (n.): 1620s, from Medieval Latin Amphiscii, from Greek amphiskioi "inhabitants of the tropics," literally "throwing a shadow both ways," from amphi- "on both sides" (see amphi-) + skia "shadow" (see shine (v.)). Inhabitants of torrid zones, so called because they are "people whose shadow is sometimes to the North, and sometimes to the South" [Cockerham, 1623].
amphitheater (n.): late 14c., from Latin amphitheatrum, from Greek amphitheatron "double theater, amphitheater," neuter of amphitheatros "with spectators all around," from amphi- "on both sides" (see amphi-) + theatron "theater" (see theater). Classical theaters were semi-circles, thus two together made an amphi-theater.
amphitheatre (n.): chiefly British English spelling of amphitheater. See -er.
amphora (n.): early 14c., "two-handled vessel for holding wine, oil, etc.," from Latin amphora from Greek amphoreus "an amphora, jar, urn," contraction of amphiphoreus, literally "two-handled," from amphi- "on both sides" (see amphi-) + phoreus "bearer," related to pherein "to bear" (see infer). Also a liquid measure in the ancient world, in Greece equal to 9 gallons, in Rome to 6 gallons, 7 pints.
amphoteric (adj.): "neither acid nor alkaline," 1832, from Greek amphoteros "each or both of two," variant of amphi-.
ample (adj.): mid-15c., from Middle French ample, from Latin amplus "large, spacious," related to ampla "handle, grip."
amplification (n.): 1540s, "enlargement," from Latin amplificationem (nominative amplificatio) "a widening, extending," noun of action from past participle stem of amplificare (see amplify). Electronics sense is from 1915.
amplifier (n.): 1540s; agent noun from amplify. Electronic sense is from 1914; shortened form amp is from 1967. Alternative stentorphone (1921) did not catch on.
amplify (v.): early 15c., "to enlarge or expand," from Middle French amplifier, from Latin amplificare "to enlarge," from amplificus "splendid," from amplus "large" (see ample) + the root of facere "to make, do" (see factitious). Meaning "augment in volume or amount" is from 1570s. Restriction of use to sound seems to have emerged in the electronic age, c. 1915, in reference to radio technology.
amplitude (n.): 1540s, from Middle French amplitude or directly from Latin amplitudinem (nominative amplitudo) "wide extent, width," from amplus (see ample). Amplitude modulation in reference to radio wave broadcast (as opposed to frequency modulation) first attested 1921, usually abbreviated A.M.
amply (adv.): 1550s, from ample + -ly (2).
ampoule (n.): "small bottle or flask," especially one used for holy liquids, c. 1200, from Old French ampole, from Latin ampulla "small globular flask or bottle," which is of uncertain origin, perhaps a contracted form of amphora.
ampul (n.): sealed container holding a dose of medicine, 1907, from French ampul (1886), from Latin ampulla (see ampoule). A modern borrowing of the word represented by Middle English ampoule.
ampulla (n.): late 14c., type of globular ancient Roman vessel; see ampoule.