amphi

a. [ Pref. amphi- + arthrodial. ] Characterized by amphiarthrosis. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ NL., fr. Gr. 'amfi` + &unr_; a joining, &unr_; a joint. ] (Anat.) A form of articulation in which the bones are connected by intervening substance admitting slight motion; symphysis. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ NL., fr. Gr. 'amfi` + 'asth`r a star. ] (Biol.) The achromatic figure, formed in mitotic cell-division, consisting of two asters connected by a spindle-shaped bundle of rodlike fibers diverging from each aster, and called the spindle. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. pl. [ See Amphibium. ] (Zool.) One of the classes of vertebrates. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The Amphibia are distinguished by having usually no scales, by having eggs and embryos similar to those of fishes, and by undergoing a complete metamorphosis, the young having gills. There are three living orders: (1) The tailless, as the frogs (Anura); (2) The tailed (Urodela), as the salamanders, and the siren group (Sirenoidea), which retain the gills of the young state (hence called Perennibranchiata) through the adult state, among which are the siren, proteus, etc.; (3) The Cœcilians, or serpentlike Amphibia (Ophiomorpha or Gymnophiona), with minute scales and without limbs. The extinct Labyrinthodonts also belonged to this class. The term is sometimes loosely applied to both reptiles and amphibians collectively. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. & n. Amphibian. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) One of the Amphibia. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Zool.) Of or pertaining to the Amphibia; as, amphibian reptiles. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to amphibiology. [ 1913 Webster ]