amphibian
Definitions
A cold-blooded vertebrate (such as a frog or newt) that lives both in water and on land
两栖动物（如青蛙、蝾螈），既能在水中又能在陆地生活的冷血脊椎动物
A vehicle or aircraft that can operate on both land and water
水陆两用交通工具（车辆或飞机）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedamphi- (both) + bi (from bios, life) + -an = a creature with 'both lives.' A frog lives one life in water as a tadpole and another on land as an adult — the word literally packs that double existence into its parts.
Root bio still carries 34 more wordsWhy It Means This
The amphi- (both) is the same prefix as in amphitheater (seats all around) and ambidextrous (skilled with both hands). Pair it with bios (life) and you get the defining fact about frogs and newts: they live two lives, one aquatic and one terrestrial.
Common Collocations
- 1.amphibian species两栖物种
- 2.amphibian habitat两栖栖息地
- 3.amphibian life cycle两栖生活周期
Example Sentences
- 1.
Frogs, toads, and salamanders are all amphibians.
- 2.
Amphibians breathe partly through their moist skin.
- 3.
The army landed troops using armored amphibians.