Where does “amphibolous” come from?
amphibolous (English) comes from Latin amphibolus, from Ancient Greek ἀμφίβολος, from Ancient Greek ἀμφί, from Ancient Greek ὀξύς, from Proto-Indo-European h₂eḱ- — sharp.
amphibolous (English): ambiguous; doubtful
Ancestry of “amphibolous”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Latin | amphibolus | open to two interpretations; ambiguous |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | ἀμφίβολος | dubious, doubtful; wavering, hesitant, uncertain |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | ἀμφί | |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | ὀξύς | sharp, pointed; sharp, keen; quick, hasty, swift |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂eḱ- | sharp |