Amphibian
/æmˈfɪb.i.ən/noun
A class of cold-blooded vertebrates that includes frogs, toads, and salamanders, typically having an aquatic larval stage and a terrestrial adult stage.
Did you know?In ancient mythology, amphibians were seen as symbols of rebirth and transformation, embodying the duality of life both in water and on land.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀμφίβιος (amphíbios)
“Living both in water and on land.”
Latin
Latin
amphibius
“Having a double life; living both in the water and on land.”
Middle French
French
amphibien
“Pertaining to amphibians.”
18th Century
English
amphibian
“Referring to the class of cold-blooded vertebrates.”
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