amphi-

New Latin amphi- (from Ancient Greek ἀμφί (amphí, “on both sides”))

amphi-

1. both
2. near

From Ancient Greek ἀμφί (amphí, “on both sides”). Doublet of ambi-.

amphi-

2. Located on the opposite side of, or referring to two distinct sides or ends of a region or object.

   amphicontinental refers to both sides of a continent (but not in the middle), amphitropical refers to species that live north or south of the equator but not in equatorial regions; amphidisc refers to sponges which have discs on each end, amphicrania is a headache affecting both sides of the head.

4. Either, both; having two distinct properties and able to function as either.

   amphinucleolus is a nucleolus that has both basophilic and oxyphilic components, amphiphobic is being both hydrophobic and lipophobic, amphithallic is being both homothallic and heterothallic

6. Merging two forms, and/or the fusion or inheritance that results from the combination.

   amphimixis is the union of a male gamete and a female gamete, amphidiploid is having a diploid set of chromosomes from each parent, amphisome is an autophagic vacuole formed by fusion of an autophagosome and an endosome.

8. Surrounding, around, encircling.

   amphicribral is when the phloem surrounds the xylem, amphigynous refers to when the oogonial stalk is surrounded, amphiphyte is when a plant grows on the surrounding edges of a wetland.

10. Intermediate between two properties or characteristics.

    amphiarthrosis is intermediate between synarthrosis and diarthrosis, amphilogy is ambiguous speech, amphigamous is having no distinct sexual organs

12. Happening in two stages.

    amphibiotic is when organisms live in water while young then on land as adults, amphidromous are when fish travel between fresh and salt water.

Borrowed from Ancient Greek ἀμφίς (amphís).

amphi-

1. amphi-

• “amphi-”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé , 2012.