amphi-

prefix

variants or amph-

: on both sides : of both kinds : both

amphibrach

amphidiploid

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Greek, from amphí "around, about" — more at ambient entry 1

Note: Due to the near-homonymy of the preposition amphí "around, about, circling" and the quantifier ámphō "both" (see ambi-), the combining element amphi- takes on to some degree meanings of both forms. Hence in Greek itself it may have the meaning "on both sides, of both kinds, being double."