Where does “amphi-” come from?

amphi- (English) comes from Ancient Greek ἀμφίς, from Proto-Indo-European h₂m̥bʰi, from Proto-Indo-European h₂n̥tbʰi, from Proto-Indo-European h₂énts, from Proto-Indo-European h₂ent-, from Proto-Indo-European h₂en- — on, onto.

amphi- (English): both

Definitions

  1. both

Ancestry of “amphi-”, step by step

amphi- traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Ancient Greek ἀμφίς

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Ancient Greekἀμφίςon both sides; around; apart, asunder
2Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂m̥bʰiaround, on either side of, about; in exchange...
3Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂n̥tbʰi—
4Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂éntsforehead; front
5Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂ent-face; forehead; front
6Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂en-on, onto

via Ancient Greek ἀμφί

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Ancient Greekἀμφί
2Ancient Greekὀξύςsharp, pointed; sharp, keen; quick, hasty, swift
3Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂eḱ-sharp

Words derived from “amphi-”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂en- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂ent- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂énts →