amphibianadj.n.
A. adj.
1. Having two modes of existence; fig. of doubtful nature.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > [adjective] > having two or many modes of existence
amphibian1637
amphibolous1644
plurimodal1935
1637 G. Gillespie Dispute against Eng.-Popish Ceremonies iii. viii. 195 A certaine Amphibian brood, sprung out of the stem of Neronian tyranny.
2. Of or pertaining to the Amphibia.Not in Craig (1847).
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > amphibians > [adjective]
double-lived1600
amphibious1655
amphibial1826
amphibian1863
1863 J. D. Dana Man. Geol. 751 Amphibian Reptiles.
1878 F. J. Bell tr. C. Gegenbaur Elements Compar. Anat. 425 The Reptilia, which so far approach the old Amphibian phylum.
3. Of, pertaining to, or designating an amphibian (sense B. 3).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > [adjective] > amphibious
amphibious1915
amphibian1920
1920 Glasgow Herald 26 June 7 A service employing flying boats or ‘Amphibian’ machines or a mixed service of sea and land aircraft.
1931 R. N. Liptrot in Handbk. Aeronaut. (Royal Aeronaut. Soc.) ii. 55 Where amphibian gear is provided add 4 per cent. of the flying weight.
1935 H. G. Wells Things to Come v. 33 In the foreground a smooth-flowing river, or lake, that reflects the scene—suddenly the mirror is broken as enormous amphibian tanks crawl up out of the water.
1939 War Illustr. 21 Oct. 186 An interesting development made by the Soviet army is the amphibian tank.
B. n.
1. An animal of the division Amphibia.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > amphibians > [noun] > member of (amphibian)
amphibian1835
1835 W. Kirby On Power of God in Creation of Animals II. xvii. 137 If we go from the Cetaceans to the Amphibians, we see a further metamorphosis of the organs of motion.
1873 J. W. Dawson Story Earth & Man vi. 144 In my younger days frogs and toads and newts used to be reptiles; now we are told that they are more like fishes, and ought to be called..Amphibians.
2. fig. A person having two modes of existence or a double character.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > equivocal quality, ambiguity > [noun] > exploiter of
mealmouth1546
Tom Double1704
double-meaner1712
mealy-mouth1861
amphibian1902
1902 Daily Chron. 5 May 4/3 These quiet, undistinguished amphibians of Sunwich.
1903 Daily Chron. 7 Jan. 4/4 Such is the natural logic of the amphibian.
3. A seaplane, tank or other vehicle able to operate both on land and on water.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > [noun] > amphibious
amphibian1920
alligator1940
1920 Glasgow Herald 2 Aug. 6 The land tests for seaplanes (amphibians).
1923 Sci. Amer. May 306/1 A Man-Made Amphibian..a successful boat that would also travel on its bottom, or on its own wheels rather, upon dry land.
1933 Jane's Fighting Ships 1933 507/3 Aircraft in operation, 11 seaplanes, 2 UO seaplanes, 1 Viking Flying Boat, 3 Douglas amphibians.
1937 B. H. L. Hart Europe in Arms iii. 31 There are great numbers of two-men light tanks which can ‘swim’ rivers and are based on the Carden-Lloyd amphibian.
1957 R. Watson-Watt Three Steps to Victory 350 Tests in a Walrus amphibian on the slipway showed a useful surface-to-surface range.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1884; most recently modified version published online November 2010).
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adj.n.1637